The game started slowly for both teams. Detroit won the tip and immediately began with a lob dunk to Andre Drummond. Both teams struggled early from the field, but Detroit decided to double team Kobe Bryant in the post all quarter long. Carlos Boozer got started with a quick 8 points on a couple of midrange jumpers and quick finishes in the paint.
Jeremy Lin hit an open three point shot. Nick Young closed the quarter with an And-1 to tie the score at the end of the first quarter, 19-19.
Wayne Ellington started the second quarter with a couple of made jumpshots. Clearly the most comfortable shooter on the team, the Lakers need to find a way to get him more shots altogether. His field goals, a made free throw by Nick Young, and a midrange jumpshot by Sacre gave the Lakers the lead and pushed it out to five points early on.
Nick Young jumped to a quick 10 points after drawing an And-1 from midrange, straight from Kobe Bryant’s textbook. Wayne Ellington was aggressive early, taking D.J. Augustin into the post with no success, but came back flying in transition with a layup. The Lakers came out with 18 quick bench points. Kobe Bryant struggled early from the field, but continued his playmaking ways despite going 0 of 4. He found Jordan Hill with a sweet pass for a dunk.
The starting Laker backcourt started 1 of 8 from the field, carried only by Lin’s lone three-point field goal. As a whole, both teams shot miserably, hovering at 40% each approaching halftime. Carlos Boozer and Nick Young both lead the Lakers in scoring at the half with 10 points a piece.
It has been a sloppy first half for the Lakers, but Jordan Hill has been picking up some of the slack on the backboard with 7 rebounds.
The score at the half is 46-45.