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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Thursday, October 13, 2005

Warriors shut down Lakers, 112-81

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By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer

Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers tried to penetrate the defense of Golden State's Jason Richardson, middle, and Adonal Foyle in last night's NBA preseason game.

REBECCA BREYER | The Honolulu Advertiser

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Los Angeles' Lamar Odom scored two points the easy way against Golden State last night at the Stan Sheriff Center.

REBECCA BREYER | The Honolulu Advertiser

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If training camp is all about learning and improving, the Golden State Warriors had a successful one in Hawai'i.

At least it would seem that way after the Warriors routed the Los Angeles Lakers, 112-81, in a preseason game last night.

A crowd of 7,646 at the Stan Sheriff Center watched the Warriors earn a split of the two-game preseason series in Hawai'i. The Lakers won Tuesday's game, 101-93.

"I thought it was important to get a split just so the kids get some confidence in themselves and what we're doing," Golden State head coach Mike Montgomery said. "The effort was there and now we get some results."

The Lakers and Warriors have both been training on O'ahu since Oct. 4.

"It's always good to get a win, but we're still building. We're still working and learning," Golden State point guard Baron Davis said. "That's what training camp and preseason is all about."

Davis was one of the key factors in last night's win. He finished with 18 points, eight assists and six rebounds, leading the team in all three categories.

"He was a monster tonight," Golden State rookie guard Monta Ellis said. "He found guys, got everybody involved. Even when he was on the bench, he got guys involved."

Davis said: "It's not all on me, but I am the starting point guard and the focal point. Tonight, I did a much better job of playing a floor game and not just fast-breaking."

The Warriors also did a better job defensively, limiting the Lakers to a 38.5 shooting percentage. Kobe Bryant and Lamar Odom, Los Angeles' top two players, scored a combined 15 points last night.

All-Star Bryant was held to 11 points on 4-of-8 shooting, and seven rebounds. He scored 28 in the Lakers' victory on Tuesday.

"There was a dearth there," Los Angeles head coach Phil Jackson said of the Lakers' lack of scoring around Bryant.

Kwame Brown and Smush Parker also scored 11 points to tie Bryant for the team lead.

Jackson described his team's effort as "futile exercise." He was critical of the team's shot selection and 27 turnovers.

"Maybe it's a learning experience," Jackson said. "We looked lethargic out there."

The Lakers took a 10-4 lead to open the game, but the Warriors responded with a 16-2 surge to take a 20-12 advantage with 2:51 remaining in the first quarter. Golden State never relinquished the lead after that.

By the end of the first quarter, Golden State had a 32-22 lead, thanks mostly to the shooting of Mike Dunleavy.

Dunleavy had 16 points in the first quarter on 6-of-6 shooting, including four 3-pointers. Eight of his points came during the 16-2 run.

The Warriors closed the second half with a 12-3 run to take a 58-40 lead at intermission. The trio of Dunleavy (16), Davis (11) and Jason Richardson (11) combined for 38 of Golden State's points in the first half.

"We stepped our intensity up," Davis said. "We played better defense, applied the pressure. The same thing they did to us (Tuesday) night."

The Warriors scored the first seven points of the second half to increase their lead to a commanding 65-40. The Lakers never got closer than 16 after that.

By the end of the third quarter, both teams were using their reserve players. Five Warriors finished with double-figure points: Davis (18), Dunleavy (16), Derek Fisher (13), Richardson (11) and Ray Young (10).

In any case, both coaches gave a positive assessment of the training camp in Hawai'i.

"For what we had, and had to go through, I think we got a lot out of it," Jackson said of the Lakers camp on the UH-Manoa campus.

Montgomery said of Golden State's camp in La'ie: "I don't think I want to be on this side, to be honest with you. I think the environment on the other side of the island is just perfect for us."

The Lakers are tentatively scheduled to conduct training camp in Honolulu again in 2007.

Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com.