Kobe Bryant happy with Los Angeles Lakers performance against Philadelphia 76ers – NBA Update
Pau Gasol and Steve Nash are on the verge of returning back to the Los Angeles Lakers lineup, but the winds of change have already started to blow.
On Sunday, the Lakers beat Philadelphia 76ers 111-98 and earned their first winning streak, albeit of two games, in nearly a month. Moreover, it was the second consecutive game in which Kobe Bryant scored 30 points or more and
the Lakers still won, breaking a frustrating run which saw the Los Angeles side go 1-11 in such games before the last win against the Washington Wizards.
Bryant ended the game with 34 points, on 12 for 21 from the field and 8 for 9 from the free-throw line.
"It's guys playing with confidence and guys trusting each other," Said Bryant, who now has had 6 consecutive games of 30 points or more. "We played well, communicated well, kept attacking and good things happened. I know the questions
have been coming because we hadn't been winning, but our time will come."
The Lakers got contribution from everybody, most importantly their bench and point guards Chris Duhon and rookie Darius Morris. Morris racked up a career-high 15 points while Duhon scored 14. Jodie Meeks also chipped in with 12
points off the bench.
The most welcome aspect of the game was the performance of Metta World Peace, a player whom Bryant had urged to get going recently. World Peace added 19 points and a career-high 16 rebounds on the night, his first double-double
performance in nearly two years.
"We did a great job of attacking early and then we stayed with it," Kobe added. "Our bench did a great job and stepped up and our whole team stepped up and just played with confidence."
The Lakers at 11-14 are still three games away from a 50 percent record, but importantly for them and for Mike D’Antoni; the team has started to play better offence and is also making an effort on the D. Against the Phillies, they
not only won the battle on the paint but also made 13 steals as compared to only six.
The Lakers also nailed 14 three pointers on the night, including 10 in the first 24 minutes. They take on the struggling Charlotte Bobcats next and have a chance to make it three in a row. That would definitely reduce some of Mike
D’s worries.
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