The Los Angeles Lakers lost Tuesday night to the Philadelphia 76ers, 103-99, at Staples Center with 76ers’ point guard Jrue Holiday being a major factor in knocking off the Lakers in their own building. The Los Angeles native and UCLA-alum 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 is midway through his fourth season, averaging 18.9 points and 8.9 assists for the Sixers.

Lakers point 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 another very talented player 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 Lakers’ forward 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.”

via Eric Pincus of The Los Angeles Times