http://www.dailynews.com/Stories/0,1413,200~29583~2971241,00.html
It might have been a Summer Pro League game Monday night at the Pyramid, but
the Lakers and the Memphis Grizzlies played like an NBA playoff berth was on
the line.
Players jawed back and forth, committed hard fouls and threw extra elbows
early. In the fourth quarter, the Lakers had a tough time pulling away from
a pesky Grizzlies' squad.
But with about two minutes remaining, the game turned into the Von Wafer
Show.
The Lakers' second-round draft choice scored eight consecutive points to
give the Lakers a 10-point lead in their eventual 94-83 win.
"We just wanted to show (Memphis) that we weren't going to back down to any
challenge," Wafer said. "We showed them that we were going to bring it. We
weren't going to let them beat us three times in a row."
With the Lakers leading by three with 2:58 remaining, Will Parker stole the
ball from the Grizzlies' Lawrence Roberts and was fouled en route for a
reverse layup.
The Lakers' Carlos Powell had 16 points and Devon Green added 14 more with
Sasha Vujacic contributing 11. First-round draft choice Andrew Bynum had
eight points and six rebounds.
Vujacic seemed to bear the brunt of the Grizzlies' aggression Monday. In the
closing minutes of the third, Memphis' Anthony Roberson threw a hard elbow
into Vujacic's chest and Kimani Friend gave him a shot in the back after
getting fouled by Marcus Douthit.
"I thought we did a good job (of handling the pressure)," Lakers coach Kurt
Rambis said. "We have some guys who don't like to be roughed up. So that
adds into it. Anytime the players get frustrated, you end up with tempers
flaring."
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