Los Angeles Lakers Team Report - December 8

(Basketball News) - Devean George’s three-pointer with 24.9 seconds left in the fourth quarter lifted the Los Angeles Lakers to a 94-92 win over the Utah Jazz on Sunday at Staples Center.

Shaquille O’Neal had 19 points, 15 rebounds and eight assists for Los Angeles, which improved to 11-0 at home this season. The Lakers have also ripped off 26 consecutive wins as the host, dating back to last season.

Kobe Bryant netted 19 points and George ended with 16 points and eight boards in the win. Gary Payton and Stanislav Medvedenko both scored 15 points for Los Angeles, which posted its ninth straight win. The Lakers are 17-3 this season.

Lakers forward Karl Malone missed his first chance to play against his former team since he departed Utah this past offseason as a free agent. The NBA suspended him one game for elbowing Dallas point guard Steve Nash in the face. The incident took place with 9:41 remaining in the third quarter of the Lakers’ 114-103 win over the Mavericks on Thursday.

Los Angeles made 45 percent of its shots.

The Minneapolis Lakers ran off 30 straight home wins bridging the 1949-50 and 1950-51 seasons.

The Lakers are off until Tuesday when they host Keith Van Horn and the New York Knicks.