Los Angeles Lakers Team Report - November 3

(Basketball News) - The Kobe Bryant-led Los Angeles Lakers will shoot for their second consecutive win to open the season tonight, when they begin their road slate against the Utah Jazz at the Delta Center.

The new-look Lakers got off to a solid start on Tuesday night, posting an 89-78 victory over the Denver Nuggets at the Staples Center. Bryant led the way with 25 points, while young center Chris Mihm registered 23 points and seven rebounds in the victory. It marked the first game for Los Angeles without Shaquille O’Neal, who was dealt to Miami in the offseason.

The first half belonged the Lakers, who jumped out to a 24-14 lead after the opening period and added to it with a 26-17 edge in the second quarter. The Nuggets came out of the locker room and tried to cut the gap, but could only come within 72-57 after 36 minutes of action and were never really in it.

The Lakers shot 43 percent from the floor while the Nuggets made just 34 percent of their field goals (30-of-88).The Lakers have won three straight and eight of their last nine meetings with the Nuggets.

On the injury front for the Lakers, center Vlade Divac is suffering from a herniated disc in his lower back and is out indefinitely.

Los Angeles has been dominant over the Jazz in recent years, winning six of seven and seven of the last nine meetings. However, the home team has taken nine of the last 11 meetings. All-time, Los Angeles is 83-45 against the Jazz.