Basket Ball

How long will Pau Gasol be out with his right hamstring injury? Phil Jackson jokingly alarmed Laker fans by saying the 7-0 center could be out until around Christmas, but Gasol is listed day-to-day and is expected to be donning the purple and gold within the next couple weeks. However thanks to Kobe Bryant’s league- leading 33 points per game and DJ Mbenga‘s career highs (ok, maybe not, but it helps), the Lakers are right behind the 8-1 Boston Celtics, with a 7-1 record after downing the Phoenix Suns last night. Last season, Kobe put up 20.7 shots per game on 45%, through 8 games this season he is shooting 24.8 shots per night on 50%. Luis Scola had a season-high 22 points and 15 rebounds in a 104-79 blowout win over the Memphis Grizzlies. Scola has underperformed to start off the season, especially with the absence of Yao Ming, but has come back strong the last five games; averaging 16.6 points, 11.4 rebounds, 1.2 steals, and shooting 54.7% from the field.