Peace Corps

If the Lakers are to contend for a title this
season, they will need the same type of
 performance from World Peace moving
forward.

The Los Angeles Laker have ended their mini three-game losing streak, beating their intercity rivals, the Los Angeles Clippers, 96-91.

It was the Lakers 12th consecutive game without breaking the 100-point threshold, tying a franchise record in the shot-clock era set during the 2003-04 season .

In their second meeting is less than two weeks, both teams came out with something to prove.

Former Laker Caron Butler got his new team off to a fast start, scoring the Clippers first 11 points, nine of them from beyond the arch. For the Lakers, forward Pau Gasol, who has made it known publicly he wants more scoring opportunities, came out determined and aggressive, scoring nine of the team's 25 first quarter points.

Gasol finished the game with 23 points and 10 rebounds, putting together his 10th double-double of the season in just 19 games. But it was unusually strong contributions from the Laker bench that secured them their 11th win of the season.

The Lakers' bench ranks as the second worst production-wise in the NBA, averaging 16.8 points per game. Compare that to the most productive bench in the league, the Dallas Mavericks, who are averaging an astonishing 44.0 points from their reserves.

Leading that Laker bench Wednesday night was rookie guard Andrew Goundelock. Goudelock added a career-high 14 points in 20 minutes, also a career-high. Despite Metta World Peace recording only three points, his emotional energy fueled this struggling Laker team.

World Peace came away with two steals, five rebounds and a seven assists in a season-high 38 minutes.

The Lakers trailed at the end of every quarter except for the one that matters, giving way to Kobe Bryant in the fourth. The five-time NBA champion scored 12 of his team-high 24 points in the final quarter, including a three-point basket that gave his team a 79-78 advantage and their first lead of the game.

Clipper forward Blake Griffin recorded a game-high 26 points and narrowly missed his own double-double with nine boards.

Chris Paul was limited to just 27 minutes in his first game back after a six-game absence due to a hamstring injury. He and fellow backcourt running mate Chauncey Billups combined for just 13 points, but Paul did add 12 assists. Mo Williams' 16 points continued to provide be a spark off the bench for the Clippers, scoring in double-digits for the fourth consecutive game.

The game was chippy, gritty and hard-fought to say the least, as there were six technical fouls assessed, a flagrant foul and an ejection of the Lakers' Josh McRoberts.

Chris Paul didn't have the
same type of explosiveness
returning from his injury.

Both teams are now tied atop the Pacific Division standings. It was the Lakers 10th win at home this season and the Clippers fourth loss on the road. Although, it really isn't a road game for Clippers other than the fact the floor boards read "Los Angeles Lakers" in their traditional purple and gold. The two teams have shared the Staples Center since it opened in October of 1999.

The Lakers are just 1-6 on the road this season and embark on a lengthy road trip this weekend. The team will play eight of their next nine games away from Staples, starting Saturday in Milwaukee and includes stops in Utah, Boston and New York, all hostile environments.

It was revealed Thursday that Bucks' center Andrew Bogut suffered a broken ankle Wednesday night in Houston, leaving him out indefinitely and on the sidelines for their upcoming matchup with Los Angeles.

Looks like the Lakers caught a break, something this team needs.