Unlikely Laker Hero

Unlikely Laker Hero

By Marty Gitlin Contributing Writer

One would expect Kobe Bryant to play a lead role in a spotlight game. And he did Sunday night, scoring 26 points as his Los Angeles Lakers halted Dallas’ 13-game winning streak, 101-98.

But Sasha Vujacic? Now that’s a shocker.

The little-used guard emerged from the bench to hit 6 of 7 shots and score 16 points, including the go-ahead 3-pointer with 28.5 seconds remaining as the Lakers continued their improbable run despite injuries that have sidelined frontcourt starters Lamar Odom and Kwame Brown.

Though coaches haven’t always shown confidence in the Slovenian, who entered averaging just over 11 minutes a game, he certainly expresses it in himself.

“Always, always,” Vujacic replied to the Associated Press when asked about his confidence level. “My teammates found me for open shots. I just wanted to take the responsibility. It feels great.”

It didn’t feel so great for the 22-year-old third-year pro when he missed all five attempts from the field Friday night against Denver to lower his shooting percentage this season to 37.4 overall and 31 percent from 3-point range. But Vujacic nailed 4 of 5 from beyond the arc to help defeat the torrid Mavericks.

NO REDD: The Milwaukee Bucks have slid under .500 again after a hot stretch and are now without leading scorer Michael Redd.

The fifth-leading scorer in the NBA at 27.7 points a game will miss Monday night’s showdown against fellow offensive machine Allen Iverson in Denver with a strained knee. He is listed day-to-day.

The Bucks must also play without forward Charlie Villanueva, who is still sidelined with tendinitis in his right shoulder. He is averaging 12.7 points a game.

WagerWeb.com lists the Nuggets as 2.5-point favorites. Denver is 2-6 since trading for Iverson, greatly because of suspensions to leading scorer Carmelo Anthony and J.R. Smith.

DRIBBLES: Dwyane Wade returned Sunday to rescue the drowning defending NBA champions. He scored 33 points to lead Miami to a 93-90 comeback victory in Portland. The Heat, who are expecting Shaquille O’Neal to return by the end of their West Coast trip, outscored the Blazers 33-21 in the fourth quarter. … How deep is Phoenix? Leandro Barbosa and James Jones combined for 51 points off the bench Sunday in a 128-105 trouncing of Golden State. The Suns have won 22 of their last 24 games. … Boston guard Tony Allen ran his 20-plus scoring streak to six games Sunday, but his collapsing team still lost to Orlando, 87-79. … A right hip strain has sidelined San Antonio point guard Tony Parker, but backcourt mate Manu Ginobili erupted for a season-high 34 points in a 110-96 victory Sunday over Memphis. Parker is listed as day-to-day.

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