SoCal NBA Capsule

LA LAKERS 105, NEW JERSEY 90 ---------------------------

EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey (Ticker) -- Pau Gasol made an immediate impact for the Los Angeles Lakers, picking up the slack for an unusually ineffective Kobe Bryant. Gasol had 24 points and 12 rebounds in his debut and Derek Fisher tied a season high with 28 points as the Lakers overcame a season-low six from Bryant en route to a 105-90 victory over the New Jersey Nets.

Bryant had been on a tear of late, averaging more than 34.0 points on 54 percent (84-of-156) shooting his previous seven games. But he struggled in this one, hitting just 3-of-13 shots and misfiring in the second half after suffering an apparent injury to his shooting hand in the second quarter. Bryant made just 2-of-11 shots after the injury and was scoreless in the fourth quarter as he was held to single digits for the first time in 94 games.

Gasol, acquired in a blockbuster deal with the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday, was inserted into the starting lineup at the last minute and more than made up for Bryant's lack of offense. He shook off a foul-plagued first half to dominate the final quarter. The 7-foot Spaniard made a key play with less than six minutes remaining, securing a loose ball under the Lakers' basket and making a layup as he was fouled. He sank the ensuing free throws to give Los Angeles an 87-81 lead and displayed his passing skills with a no-look assist to Fisher for a layup 33 seconds later. Gasol added a layup with 3:03 remaining and sealed the game with a short jumper with 91 seconds to go, bringing the numerous Lakers fans in attendance to their feet.

Vladimir Radmanovic scored 16 points and Lamar Odom added 14 and 15 rebounds as the Lakers won their third straight since the trade was announced. Vince Carter scored 27 points on just 10-of-26 shooting and Bostjan Nachbar added 19 off the bench for the Nets, who have lost 11 of their last 13 games.