The Los Angeles Lakers are coming off a tough loss to the Phoenix Suns on Sunday when another late fourth quarter rally fell short. Los Angeles had a chance to take the lead in the final minutes, but empty possessions eventually allowed the Suns to pull away by nine, 116-107.
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Kobe Bryant returned to the court after missing three consecutive games, and the guard finished the night with just ten points on 4-10 shooting. Bryant also tallied up seven assists and eight rebounds, but once again struggled protecting the basketball as he also recorded five turnovers.
After the game, Bryant spoke to the media and talked about the newest addition to the Lakers’ roster, Tarik Black, via Lakers Nation reporter Serena Winters:
How much does Kobe know about @TarikBlack25? “Zero, but I’m looking to find out.”
— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) December 29, 2014
Black played 25 games for the Houston Rockets this season as a rookie, averaging a solid 4.2 points and 5.1 rebounds in 15.7 minutes per game. The Rockets had to waive Black in order to make roster space for newly acquired Josh Smith and once he cleared waivers, the Lakers picked him up.
Black will be a nice addition to the roster and will give the Lakers another big man off the bench. The former Kansas Jayhawk is expected to make his Laker debut Tuesday in Denver when the team takes on the 13-18 Nuggets.
[divide]Lakers Acquire Tarik Black