Being the starting point guard for the Los Angeles Lakers means leading your team to victories, and lots of them.
On Sunday night, Derek Fisher helped the streaking Lakers to their fifth straight win. At 6-1, they sit atop the Pacific Division, tied with the Phoenix Suns for first place.
The Lakers won two games this weekend, defeating the Memphis Grizzlies 114-98 on Friday and then coasting to a victory over the New Orleans Hornets Sunday, 104-88.
 Fish defends Chris Paul of the Hornets (Getty Images). |
The victory over the New Orleans Hornets was so smooth, the Orange County Register even caught the normal calm and level-headed Fish having a quick, happy moment.
“Derek Fisher tossed home a 3-pointer from the corner just before the buzzer, then turned and locked eyes with his wife in the stands to share the little moment. It was that kind of night for the Lakers. They did pretty much everything well and got to enjoy an easy 104-88 victory.”
That buzzer beater ended the first half, not the game, but by then the Lakers were cruising. Along with his three-pointer, No. 2 had eight points, two assists and pulled down two boards, both on defense.
D-Fish with eight points on 3-5 shooting and added a pair of dimes.
GRIZZLED VET
As good as Fish was on Sunday he was even better on Friday.
D-Fish scored 11 points, a season-high and added seven assists, another season-high and grabbed three rebounds in the 114-98 LA romp.
Last year against the Grizz, Derek had double figures in three of four games.
Colin Ward-Henninger, of Los Angeles Lakers Examiner, saw some strong flashes in No. 2’s game against Memphis:
“Starting point guard Derek Fisher had his best game of the season, scoring 11 points and dishing out 7 assists. Fisher’s jumper looked good, and more importantly he was under control. Fisher has a tendency to put up some ill-advised shots which can lead to fast breaks for the other team. Tonight he looked solid, and if that jumper keeps falling it will be a welcome change from last year’s regular season.”
HIGHLIGHT REEL
Derek Fisher and Kobe Bryant have been making magic for years now, but Fish’s alley oop to Kobe against Memphis was one of the sweeter plays of the season.
With a minute left in the first half, Fisher cut to the top of the three point line. He received a pass from Lamar Odom, and without even putting the ball on the ground, lobbed a pass to a streaking Bryant, who slammed it home.
You can catch the video here at the 2:20 mark.
NEXT UP
Fisher leads the first place Lakers in a showdown with the Phoenix Suns on Thursday. Both teams sit at 6-1 in first place in the Pacific Division. The game tips off at 7:30 p.m. PST. The battle for first will be broadcast nationwide on TNT.
RELATED ARTICLES
Lakers handle Grizzlies with Gasol and Bynum: Five thoughts (Examiner.com, Nov.6, 2009)
http://www.examiner.com/x-955-Los-Angeles-Lakers-Examiner~y2009m11d6-Lakers-handle-Grizzlies-without-Gasol-and-Bynum-Five-thoughts
Lakers have something extra in reserve to rout Hornets (L.A. Times, Nov. 9, 2009.
http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-lakers-hornets9-2009nov09,0,1497118.story
Lakers’ victory is Big Easy (Orange County Register, Nov. 9, 2009)
http://www.ocregister.com/sports/lakers-218325-points-bryant.html