December 3rd, 2008 
Stephen Rhodes 
Posted in 
Although Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant will probably never admit it openly, I think he enjoys playing in front of the crowds at Wachovia Center in his hometown of Philadelphia. In Wednesday’s game against the 76ers, a case could be made that he at the very least does very well there; Bryant scored 32 points, leading Los Angeles to the 114-102 over Philadelphia.
Tha game in and of itself was the Lakers from the opening tip, although the Sixers were within 6 points in the third period until Bryant and Derek Fisher drained 3-pointers that would increase Los Angeles’ lead to double-digits. The Sixers’ Lou Williams tried to rally his team back in the fourth quarter, scoring 15 points in the period – including three 3s that pulled the Sixers to within 101-91, but the Lakers would coast from there to the win.
Los Angeles’ high scorer was Bryant with 32 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals while Pau Gasol added 22 with 13 rebounds, an assist, a steal and 3 blocked shots; Andrew Bynum pitched in, scoring 18 with 3 rebounds, 4 assists and a blocked shot but 5 turnovers. Philadelphia was led by Andre Miller with 26 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 steals while Andre Iguodala added 19 with 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 steals; Thaddeus Young pitched in with 17 points, 8 rebounds and a steal while Williams added 15 (including three 3-pointers) with an assist. Los Angeles (15-2) plays again on Friday when they travel south to Washington to take on the Wizards while Philadelphia (8-11) flies to Detroit to face the Pistons – also on Friday.
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