The Phoenix Suns will meet Kobe Bryant and the Lakers tonight in Los Angeles. The NBA game will be live streamed on TWC SN at 10:30 PM ET from the Staples Center.
Though Bryant's return to the court didn't pay immediate dividends in the standings, the Lakers are sure glad to have him back.
Following a nine-point, eight-rebound debut after missing the first 19 games due to a torn Achilles' tendon, Bryant will look to continue rounding back into form tonight.
"My rhythm is completely out of sync," Bryant said after a 106-94 loss to Toronto on Sunday. "But this is a start, and I guess a start is good."
The 15-time All-Star played 28 minutes, going 2 of 9 from the field, 5 of 7 from the free-throw line and adding four assists while committing eight turnovers.
The Lakers reserves scored 71 points Sunday, increasing their league-best average to 48.1 per game.
Bryant's return, though, won't solve all of the Lakers' issues.
Pau Gasol has been in a slump, averaging 11.3 points and 30.9 percent shooting in the last four games. Los Angeles is the worst defensive team in the Western Conference, allowing 103.0 points per game, and it's given up at least 100 in four straight contests for the first time this season.
That could mean a big performance at the offensive end for the Suns (11-9), who are averaging 101.2 points and 46.2 percent shooting. Phoenix is also getting big production from its bench, as the reserves have averaged 38.0 points in the past six games.
The Lakers (10-10) have recently dominated the Suns at Staples Center, winning 12 of the past 13 meetings, including three victories in the 2010 Western Conference finals. Phoenix, though, has taken four of the past six overall matchups.
Bryant has averaged 31.6 points in his last 19 home games against Phoenix, though he had only four and shot 1 of 8 in the latest such matchup, a 91-85 victory Feb. 12.
"The exciting part is you got a challenge and you got some improvements to make and you sit and you watch them and you break it down and you get ready for the next game and carry it from there," he said.
