Kobe Bryant pounds 35 as Los Angeles Lakers down Minnesota Timberwolves 106-101 - NBA Recap
Los Angeles Lakers notched up another win on the road with the help of a strong showing by super star Kobe Bryant.
After starting aggressively and pushing on with the momentum, the Lakers had already turned the game in their favour midway through the third quarter by acquiring a 17 point lead 77-60. However, they made a meal of their lead in
the ensuing passage, allowing Minnesota Timberwolves to rattle a 14-2 spurt, which brought the Timberwolves back in the game.
Timberwolves, sensing the kill, attacked at full throttle in the deciding quarter and managed to eliminate the deficit midway through the frame, making it 89 all. Fortunately for Lakers, their big guys Kobe Bryant, Andrew Bynum
and Pau Gasol jumped into action and reeled off a crucial 16-7 run, to again turn the game in Lakers favour.
The Wolves fought hard and gave everything they had in the remaining minutes, however the deficit that the 16-7 run had built proved too much in the end. Minnesota fell short by 5 points by the final buzzer.
Kobe Bryant was superb and marshalled the Lakers with a game high 35 points including 5 for 9 from the long range and 14 boards. He was attacking throughout and scored at most crucial times in the game.
According to Timberwolves Kevin Love, Bryant was the difference between two teams tonight.
"He hit big shots," Love said. "There's no getting past that. Maybe three or four times he hit it right in my face. I had a hand up and slapped his hand, but seemingly hit shots over and over. That's why he's the best player in
the game."
Not only Love but Ricky Rubio also boldly admitted that Minnesota were outclassed by Kobe’s brilliance at the end.
"I don't know if he's the best one or not, but in the last quarter, for sure," said Rubio "Maybe during 48 minutes, there are players like LeBron and Derrick Rose who can be in that top position, but at the end of the game, he's
the best."
Pau Gasol was also impressive and netted 28 points on 11-for-15 from the floor while Bynum had 21 points and 7 boards.
Kevin Love paced the Timberwolves with 33 points on 13-for-22 from the floor and 13 boards. Michael Beasley too had a double-double with 18 points and 12 rebounds whereas Nikola Pekovic nearly missed a double-double (13 points
and 9 boards). Martell Webster came late and pounded 10 points in his 22:46 minutes on the court.
Timberwolves struggled with their shooting and only shot 38.5% from the floor in contrast to 50% from the Lakers.
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