LOS ANGELES, (Reuters) – The Indiana Pacers held off the two-time defending champion Los Angeles Lakers for a 95-92 upset victory on Sunday, their first triumph at the Staples Center.
Kobe Bryant scored a season-high 41 points, but he missed two potential game-tying three-point attempts in the final 10 seconds as the Pacers (8-7) withstood a late comeback effort after they led by 15 in the second half.
Roy Hibbert recorded 24 points, 12 rebounds and six assists to lead Indiana which defeated the Lakers on the road for the first time since 1999 — a streak of 11 — which was a season prior to the team’s move to the Staples Center.
“My team mates are showing confidence in me and my post work and I’m having confidence in them,” Hibbert, who lost around 20 pounds in the off-season to improve his play and conditioning, told reporters.
“The Lakers are tough. We did a good job on defense and it translated into shots on offense.”
The young Pacers out-hustled their opponents throughout the contest and forced 38 percent shooting for the Lakers (13-4), who scored a season-low in losing their second straight game.
Bryant made just 14 of 33 shots as Los Angeles lacked offensive chemistry, however, they managed to pull within one after two Pau Gasol free throws with 34 seconds left.
Hibbert responded by getting free inside for a dunk that restored a three-point lead for the Pacers.
“If we had won this game it’s fool’s gold, because we didn’t deserve to win,” said Lakers forward Lamar Odom, who finished with 15 points and 11 rebounds.
“They beat us throughout the game, so hopefully we learned our lesson.”
Spanish center Gasol had 13 points and 12 rebounds while making only 5 of 15 shots from the floor.
Danny Granger chipped in 18 for the Pacers who are one game into a four-game Western Conference road trip.
