Kobe Bryant News L.A. Lakers

Los Angeles Lakers sink as Kobe sits

LOS ANGELES - Even with the NBA trade deadline upon them today, the light at the end of the tunnel keeps looking farther away for the Los Angeles Lakers, who became the first Phil Jackson-coached team in history to lose sixconsecutive games.

They suffered a dismal 112-108 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday night at Staples Center, a game that turned on Jackson's decision to sit Kobe Bryant with eight minutes left in the fourth quarter and the Los Angeles Lakers' continued indifferent defense.

What was a one-point game when Kobe Bryant went to the bench turned into an 11-point Portland lead in a matter of 3 1/2 minutes. The Los Angeles Lakers were booed off the court, where they lost their fifth straight home game.

The Blazers scored 18 more points than their season average and shot 59.7percent from the field. The only team to shoot better against the Los Angeles Lakers this season was the Dallas Mavericks in a December loss.

All that was left was for the Los Angeles Lakers to work the phones and try to convince the New Jersey Nets that they are better off without the remaining $41 million on Jason Kidd's contract than they are with the all-star guard.

But Jackson portrayed things in less than favorable terms before the game, saying he

didn't think the "momentum" was there to make a deal after spending the afternoon huddled with general manager Mitch Kupchak.

Kobe Bryant finished with 25points, eight rebounds and six assists but the most telling stat came with the Los Angeles Lakers being outscored 25-11 with the superstar guard on the bench.

Jarrett Jack led Portland with 30 points and Zach Randolph added 16.

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