Kobe Bryant owns the clutch again as Lakers subdue the Clippers in the battle of Los Angeles – NBA Recap
Kobe Bryant once again made what has now become his trademark shot, a sinking fade away with seconds to go in the game to seal the win for the Los Angeles Lakers against the Los Angeles Clippers.
The Clippers came into this game having won their last six, and got all pumped up early with Blake Griffin’s monster dunk over Pau Gasol. But Andrew Bynum and Kobe Bryant let them know who still runs Los Angeles by combining together to score 67 points.
Andrew Bynum finished with game high 36 points and 8 rebounds, shooting 13 of 20 from the field. Kobe Bryant ended the game with 31 points and 6 assists, going 13 of 19 from the field. He also, once again, hit the game winning shot.
The Lakers took the lead early in the 1st quarter and after that, Clippers tried to catch up with the Lakers throughout the quarter, failing in the end. For every offensive play of the Clippers, the Lakers had an answer. They did not let the Clippers build any offensive momentum. Andrew Bynum had 11 points in the 1st quarter and Kobe chipped in 16, to lead 34-29 at the end of the period.
The Lakers continued with the charge in the second quarter as well, leading by as many as 11 and not relinquishing the lead throughout the quarter. Lakers led 63-55 at the end of the half.
Clippers came within 5 points, 73-78, of the Lakers with 05:02 left in the 3rd quarter but the Lakers rallied with a 10-0 run to lead 88-73 with 02:15 left. The Lakers kept the lead, finishing the quarter 92-81.
The Clippers started the 4th quarter with an 8-0 run to come within 3 of the Lakers. With 04:08 left in the game, a jump shot by Chris Paul tied the score at 102, the first time since early in the 1st quarter.
Paul was leading the Clippers offense in the 4th, making a comeback to tie the game. A jump shot by DeAndre Jordan gave the Clippers a one point lead with 03:30 left. Lakers responded with buckets by Bryant and Sessions to take back a 4 point lead.
Chris Paul again came up with the fade away shot to reduce the lead to 2 points with 42.7 seconds left on the clock. Bryant then did what he does best, nailed a sinking fade away jumper on the Lakers next possession to bring the lead back to 4 points, and seal the fate with only 24 seconds left. The Lakers went on to win 113-108.
Bryant and Bynum were amazing for the night, scoring 67 of the 113 points of the Lakers. Ramon Sessions added 16. Caron Butler scored a career high 28 points for the Clippers and Chris Paul added 22 points and an amazing 16 assists for the game.
The game changer was the turnovers for the L.A Clippers. After giving away only 3 turnovers in the first 3 quarters, the Clippers turned the ball over 7 times in the final period.
“Our turnovers hurt us in the second half, that's for sure” said Clippers head coach Vinny Del Negro
The Lakers have now won their last 4 games and are 7-3 in their last 10. They have improved their record to 35-30, and are 3 win behind 2nd placed San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference.
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