Jan

10

Kobe Scores Lakers’ Last 11 Points, Edge Pacers 121-119

Posted by Stephen Rhodes under NBA Game Recap 

It seems like as of late, the Los Angeles Lakers and Indiana Pacers always provide competitive, entertaining basketball when they hook up; Friday night’s game was no different as both teams played the game close, with no ridiculous leads being held by either team.  But when the smoke cleared, it was Kobe Bryant who was the hero for the Lakers as he scored his team’s final 11 points, helping Los Angeles escape Staples Center with the 121-119 win over Indiana.

Both teams shot very well throughout the game, especially the Lakers (56.8%), which probably explains the inordinately low rebound and totals (34 rebounds for both teams while Indiana led in assists 30-28); Pau Gasol was hot early for Los Angeles as he scored 11 first-quarter points, yet the Lakers couldn’t shake off the Pacers, who trailed by just 5 going into the second period.  Gasol had 17 first-half points while Bryant added 14; however, Indiana’s Danny Granger had 16 first-half points and Troy Murphy added 14 as the Lakers took a 68-66 lead into halftime.

The game remained tight, but the Lakers went on an 11-2 run whcih began at the 4:06 mark of the third quarter; Bryant scored 9 during the run and Los Angeles took a 96-84 lead going into the fourth quarter.  Fast-forwarding to near the end of the game, Mike Dunleavy drained a 3-pointer, tying the game at 119 with 27 seconds left in the game; however, Bryant used the Lakers’ last possession to hit the game-winning jumper with 3 seconds left, icing the game.

Los Angeles’ high scorer was Bryant with 36 points, 7 rebounds, 13 assists, a steal but committed 5 turnovers while Gasol added 21 with 11 rebounds and 4 assists; Andrew Bynum had another strong game as he scored 20 with 5 rebounds, an assist and a blocked shot.  Indiana was led by Granger with 28 points, 4 rebounds, an assist, 2 steals and a blocked shot while Murphy added 24 (including 6 three-pointers) with 6 rebounds, 3 assists and a blocked shot; Dunleavy pitched in, scoring 22 with 4 rebounds, 5 assists and a steal.  Los Angeles (29-6) plays again on Sunday when they host the Miami Heat while Indiana (13-23) travels to Oakland to face the Golden state Warriors – also on Sunday.


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