PHILADELPHIA — It was definitely a victory for the Lakers, though not the chest-bump, thumbs-up type to make them forget what happened 24 hours earlier.
The box score confirmed a 114-102 decision over the Philadelphia 76ers, the end of a one-game losing streak that jolted them for a day or so, though there wasn't anything special to attach themselves to after another futile defensive effort.
The 76ers were 24th in the league in scoring (94.3 points a game), but then came Wednesday's relative outburst at Wachovia Center as the Lakers were nicked by another set of point guards.
Andre Miller had 26 points, eight rebounds and five assists for the 76ers (8-11). Backup Louis Williams scored all 15 of his points in the fourth quarter with the game still relatively close.
Lakers Coach Phil Jackson sighed at another lackadaisical defensive effort on the heels of a 118-117 loss to Indiana.
"We are what we are, I guess," he said. "A good offensive team."
They were pretty solid in that department, making a season-high 58.1% of their shots.
Kobe Bryant had 32 points on 12-for-20 shooting. Pau Gasol had 22 points on eight-for-12 shooting. Andrew Bynum was also efficient on offense, scoring 18 points on seven-for-11 shooting. It was his three rebounds that irritated Jackson.
"Some of the guards outrebounded Andrew tonight," he said gruffly.
Indeed, Derek Fisher had five rebounds and Bryant had six, though he usually hits the boards fairly well for a guard.
Jackson's words didn't seem to sit well with Bynum, who mentioned a lack of fourth-quarter playing time for a second consecutive game.
"I might have gotten some [rebounds] the last six minutes, again," said Bynum, who left for good with 5:34 to play and the Lakers ahead, 99-88. "You never know until the fat lady sings and he sings for me a lot."
It wasn't quite animosity, but it was the latest volley in a two-day exchange between coach and player.
Before the game, Jackson seemed more bemused than upset while responding to the 21-year-old center's criticism of his substitution patterns against Indiana.
Bynum was with the second unit that built a 16-point, fourth-quarter lead against the Pacers, but that group turned the ball over four times and Jackson yanked everybody from it except Bynum.
Bynum wondered why afterward. Jackson had an answer for reporters a day later.
