Atlanta shot 48.9 percent from the field and 40.7 percent from three-point range. They were led by Al Horford's double-double of 19 points and 11 rebounds, as well as Jeff Teague's 17 points and 10 assists.
The Lakers shot a respectable 47.9 percent, but a majority of their issues came on the defensive end, as they failed to slow down the Hawks' offensive onslaught in the final two quarters.
Kyle Korver was deadly in the third quarter, nailing three three-pointers to extend his streak to 94 games.
Los Angeles is now 1-4 since the return of Kobe Bryant.
Key Players
Kobe Bryant, Point Guard
The Black Mamba shook off a slow start to his season (average of 11 points through his first three games) with a solid all-around effort against the Charlotte Bobcats on December 14, finishing with a near triple-double of 21 points, eight assists and seven rebounds.
Was he able to carry over any of that momentum against the Atlanta Hawks?
Well, I'm sure he would have liked his first quarter to have ended better. He did hit three of his first five shots for six early points, but he did turn the ball over four times, with three of those coming in the first two minutes and thirty seconds of the game.
The team is in dire need of someone to step up and play point guard with Steve Nash, Steve Blake and Jordan Farmar all on the sidelines, so there's really no one else to hold down the fort but Bryant.
He didn't score again until the fourth quarter.
We're all glad to have him back, but it's going to take longer than expected before he's back to where he wa...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers
