Needing to impress the national media, Memphis coach Bob showed no mercy and ran up a 118-85 score against LA Lakers. "Maybe we can get some credit now," commented coach Bob after the game. "No matter what we've done right this season, there have always been those who find something to doubt. So hopefully this 118-to-85 win can shut them up a little bit. I hate to have to do this to [LA Lakers coach] Andreas Helmle; he's got a great program and we never like to run up the score. But I don't think we had any other choice."

Andreas Helmle was understanding. "I'm not upset at all. Bob is a classy coach, but was left with no choice by all the criticism he was taking. We'll just have to pick up the pieces and try to regroup before our next game."

Memphis was led by Sigler (16 points, 12 boards, 4 assists, a steal, 3 blocks), Maxwell (26 points, 6 boards, 2 assists, a steal), Dolly (22 points, 3 assists, 2 blocks). LA Lakers was led by Melton (18 points, 8 boards, 3 assists, a block), Monroe (17 points, 12 boards, 0 assists), Washington (6 points, 2 steals).

Memphis improve to 12-2. They stay at #1 in the Southwest and remain at #2 overall in the Western Conference. LA Lakers fall to 5-11 and 3-6 at home after today's loss. They stay at #4 in the Pacific and remain at #14 overall in the Western Conference.

box score Memphis roster LA Lakers* roster