Kobe Scores 52 As Lakers Top Mavericks In O/T 108-104

Posted by Kyle Stack under Main

On a day on which Kobe Bryant struggled initially from the free-throw line, his two freebies with nine seconds left in overtime spurred the Los Angeles Lakers to a 108-104 victory against the Dallas Mavericks in the Los Angeles Staples Center. Bryant, who poured in a season-high 52 points, scored 22 in a frenetic fourth quarter which ended in dramatic fashion.

After a Bryant turnover with 35 seconds remaining and a 91-90 Lakers lead on the scoreboard, Dallas (39-21) called a timeout to set up a potential game-winning shot.? However, Pau Gasol blocked a Jerry Stackhouse three-point attempt with 14 seconds remaining.? Los Angeles (42-18) gained possession and moved the ball up court until Lamar Odom was intentionally fouled and sent to the line with 6.9 seconds remaining.? Odom missed his first and second foul-shot attempts, but Bryant grabbed the offensive rebound, was fouled and came back to the free throw line with 6.1 seconds remaining.?

?Bryant, who missed seven of his first ten free throw attempts in the game, knocked down both free throws to pad the Lakers? lead at 93-90. ?Dallas called a timeout to set up an inbound play near the Lakers? three-point line.? Dirk Nowitzki inbounded to Jason Kidd who passed it back to Nowitzki between the right wing and top of the key.? Dribbling to his left towards the top of the key, Nowitzki released a high arching three that smoothly dropped through the net, tying the game at 93 with two seconds left.? A Kidd deflection off the Lakers? inbound pass forced the game into overtime.? Bryant scored eight points in overtime, including the game-clinching free throws as the Lakers led the extra period from start to finish. Bryant added 11 rebounds to his 52-point effort.? Gasol finished with 17 points and 14 rebounds for the Lakers.? Nowitzki scored 30 points and snatched 13 rebounds for Dallas in the loss.? Erick Dampier added 17 points

Updates, Fresh From the Oven, Straight to Your Inbox