Nov

28

Kobe’s 35 pushes Lakers past SuperSonics 106-99

Posted by Stephen Rhodes under Main 

Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, right, battles Seattle SuperSonics forward Kurt Thomas for a rebound during the first half of the Seattle SuperSonics-Los Angeles Lakers game, played Tuesday night. Bryant scored 35 in the Lakers? 106-99 win over the SuperSonics.

Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant isn’t a clutch player by mere reputation alone; he scored 6 important points in the last 3:51 to push the Lakers past the pesky Seattle SuperSonics 106-99. In doing so, Los Angeles snapped a three-game losing streak and extended Seattle’s losing streak to 5.Despite Bryant’s 21 first-half points and Laker forward Lamar Odom’s 13, Los Angeles could do no better than be tied with Seattle at halftime at 54-all. All told, there were 9 lead changes and ties, yet neither team led by more than 7 points until Lakers guard Derek Fisher sank 3 free throws for a 75-66 lead with 3:!7 left in the 3rd period. An unusual happening took place on the next Sonics’ possession; with the Lakers ahead 77-67, Seattle F Nick Collison, while driving to the basket, was fouled by Bryant. Collison sustained a cut below the right eye; as a result, in accordance to NBA rules, Los Angeles Lakers head coach Phil Jackson got to select the Sonics player to shoot the free throws that Collison were to have attempted. Jackson picked Sonics center Mouhamed Sene to shoot the free throws; Sene made one of two at the line, after which the Lakers would increase their lead to 85-73 starting the fourth quarter.

Lakers reserve guard Jordan Farmar hit a 3-pointer to give Los Angeles a 92-79 lead with 8:11 remaining; he would connect on another 3 two minutes later. Seattle would get to within 102-97 on rookie Kevin Durant’s 3-point play with 13.2 seconds left in the game, but Bryant helped cinch the win for the Lakers with 2 free throws. The Lakers’ high scorer was Bryant with 35 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists. Odom added 20 and 8 boards, while center Andrew Bynum chipped in with 12 points and grabbing 10 boards.

Seattle was led by Durant with 25 points; Chris Wilcox added 18 while reserve guard Earl Watson chipped in with 16, with 6 rebounds and 6 assists. Los Angeles (8-6) remains home to host the Denver Nuggets on Thursday night, while Seattle (2-13) returns home to host the Orlando Magic on Wednesday.


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