Kobe Bryant and Ron Artest Help Lakers Bounce Back After First Loss of the Season

Two days after sheepishly losing to the Dallas Mavericks in a home game on Friday (Oct. 30), the Lakers rebounded, beating the Atlanta Hawks 118-110 largely thanks to Kobe Bryant’s 41 points. Andrew Bynum scored 21 points and Ron Artest was impressive in defending Hawks guard Joe Johnson, shutting him down during the second quarter. Johnson beat Bryant with 18 points in the first quarter but only scored nine in the final three quarters.

After the game, Bryant gave Artest props, telling reporters, “It all started with No. 37. It upped the energy level defensively. I told him this game was all him because I felt like his energy changed the complexity of the game. We all kind of rallied behind him at that point. His defense in particular was outstanding.” The Lakers are now on a two-game road trip.

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