SEATTLE — Kobe Bryant didn’t even break much of a sweat.
With the Seattle SuperSonics shorthanded with only 10 players for the third straight game, the Los Angeles Lakers did what good teams are supposed to do, putting away the Sonics early in an emphatic 111-91 win Sunday evening in front of a sellout crowd of 17,072 at KeyArena.
It wasn’t much of a home-court advantage for the Sonics, however, with several people clad in purple-and-gold jerseys littered throughout the arena. Nearly half the crowd rooted for the Lakers, cheering for every drained 3-pointer or breakaway dunk by Bryant.
“They can sense from the beginning if you’re ready to play,” Seattle guard Earl Watson said about the Lakers. “With them, they come with a different type of edge because of the championships the Lakers have won. They’ve got a new team, so they’re feeling great and playing at a high level.”
The Lakers jumped on the Sonics early and led by as many as 31 points as Seattle (15-40) failed to slow down Los Angeles offensively. The Lakers shot 49 percent from the field, including 11-for-21 from beyond the 3-point arc.
Los Angeles also forced 17 Seattle turnovers, turning them into 20 points at the other end.
The Lakers finished with seldom-used players D.J. Mbenga and Coby Karl, son of Denver head coach George Karl, on the floor at the end.
“We weren’t able to compete at the level they were playing at,” Seattle coach P.J. Carlesimo said. “They had us back on our heels initially, and we were never really able to respond.”
As he’s done throughout his career, Bryant again tormented the Sonics, finishing with 21 points and 10 assists. He played just 26 minutes, but had help, with seven Lakers finishing in double figures, led by Pau Gasol (22 points) and Lamar Odom (19 points, 11 rebounds).
Playing against one of the best teams in the league, Seattle was not at full strength and had to play combinations who hadn’t played together much, if at all. Regulars Chris Wilcox (flu) and Damien Wilkins (sprained right wrist) sat out, along with newcomer Donyell Marshall (flu).
“The chemistry is different,” Watson said. “We’ve got new players, and we haven’t practiced yet with the new players. It’s tough when you’ve got new players and they get implemented early. We’ve got injuries so they’re playing automatically.”
The most excited the KeyArena crowd got was when Bryant earned a technical foul from referee Brian Forte after arguing a no-call with four minutes left in the third quarter. Bryant continued to chirp at Forte after the technical, drawing a second technical foul and was ejected from the game. It was Bryant’s 10th technical on the year.
“I’m disappointed (about getting ejected), but I’m not going to comment on the official because I don’t want to get fined anymore,” Bryant said.
Added Los Angeles coach Phil Jackson: “I told him (Bryant) he shouldn’t jump on junior (Forte). His dad (NBA official Joe Forte) might carry a grudge against him.”
Bryant’s ejection had no bearing on the outcome of the game, with the Lakers (39-17) ahead 88-57 when Bryant left the floor.
Los Angeles has won eight straight, and 11 of its last 12.
One of the lone bright spots for the Sonics was continued strong play of swingman Mickael Gelabale, who finished with a career-high 21 points.
Since being called up from the Sonics’ Development League affiliate, the Idaho Stampede, Gelabale’s averaging 11 points a contest and 18.7 minutes a game.
“It’s very positive to see Gelly (Gelabale) back-to-back now put two (good) games,” Carlesimo said. “Obviously it’s going to be good going forward continuing to give him minutes and watch him play.”
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