The Lakers lost Tuesday night to the Philadelphia 76ers, 103-99, at Staples Center.
Sixers point guard Jrue Holiday was a difficult cover for the Lakers all night, finishing with 26 points and 10 assists in 39 minutes of play.
The 22-year old point guard from UCLA is midway through his fourth season, averaging 18.9 points and 8.9 assists for the Sixers.
Lakers guard Steve Nash said Holiday's play gave the Sixers a big lift.
"Obviously they're a different team with him. We beat them at their place by 20 without him," Nash said (the margin was actually 13 points in the December meeting, 111-98). "I think he gives them obviously a very talented players but he also makes guys around him better. He makes it more difficult for you to guard [Evan] Turner, [Jason] Richardson and the other guys on the perimeter."
The Lakers were within four points with about 32 seconds left when Metta World Peace missed a three-point shot. Holiday took it right to the rack with a thunderous dunk to put the Sixers up 103-97, all but extinguishing the Lakers' chances.
"He's a terrific player," Nash said. "He's an All-Star this year."
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Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.
