Jeremy Lin outguards Kobe Bryant; Guides New York Knicks over Los Angeles Lakers - NBA Recap
Those who think Jeremy’s Lin performances against New Jersey Nets, Utah Jazz and Washington Wizards last week were flukes, need to think again. Especially after what transpired on Friday night.
Up against Kobe Bryant, the 23 year old point guard from New York put up the best performance of his short NBA career and guided the Knicks to an important 92-85 win over the mighty Los Angeles Lakers.
Lin, who is having a dream week, was at his best tonight and pounded career high 38 points on 13 for 23 from the floor, 10-for-13 from the charity stripe and 7 assists. He was an unwanted bench player not long ago, but this performance
just might change that perception, and how.
"I didn't try to see this game as any different," Lin said. "I just try to make sure that when I get there on the floor, I play as hard as I can and try to do everything I can to help the team win. The only thing we established
tonight is four in a row.”
“Now we try to go for five tomorrow. I'm not too worried about proving anything to anybody.” Lin added, in a sly reference to Kobe Bryant, who had questioned Lin’s growing legend before the game.
Iman Shumpert and Jared Jeffries supported Lin well by amassing 12 and 11 points respectively.
Knicks coach Mike D Antoni was overjoyed with Lin’s outstanding show. He exclaimed
"What he's doing is amazing. He answered a lot of questions tonight. Can he make an outside shot? Can he pull the trigger in a big moment? There's so much stuff that he's doing."
Kobe Bryant led the Lakers with 34 points on 11 for 13 from the free throw line and 10 boards while Pau Gasol added 16 points and pulled down 10 boards. Reserve Matt Barnes added 11 points.
Knicks got off to a dominant 19-8 start and kept attacking throughout the entire first half to keep the Lakers under pressure. Midway through the third frame, Knicks were still in a commanding position, ahead by 10 points 56-46.
However Bryant and Steve Blake combined forces in the ensuing passage to ensure Lakers were still in the hunt by the end of the third frame, with Lakers trailing behind by 6 points 66-60.
Lin and Iman Shumpert were unstoppable in the deciding quarter and quickly boosted the Knicks lead to double figures 84-71, with less than 6 minutes remaining in the game. The Lakers were completely stunned with this onslaught
and failed to make any inroads down the stretch.
Gasol and Bryant did get Lakers within 82-88, but in the end Lin and Landry Fields used free throws to guide their team to a convincing win.
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