Kobe scores 41 to lift Los Angeles Lakers to a 2 point win over Toronto Raptors in overtime: NBA Recap
Kobe Bryant once again rescued Los Angeles Lakers as he fired in huge three pointers down the stretch in regulation, and then scored 4 points in overtime, leading his team to a 118-116 win in overtime against Toronto Raptors, here
at the Staples Centre on Friday night.
Lakers were trailing by as much as 11 points in the fourth quarter when Bryant took control of the game. Kobe never scored above 40 points and dished out 10 assists before in his career, but he has achieved this feat in two straight
games now. He poured in 41 points and dished out 12 dimes on Friday night. Steve Nash chipped in with 22 points and a surprising 2 assists, while Dwight Howard posted a double-double with 24 points and 13 rebounds in the winning cause.
DeMar DeRozan led the Raptors with 28 points and 5 rebounds while Rudy g*y chipped in with 17 points and 7 rebounds in the losing cause.
Raptors got off to a great start. They went in front early in first quarter and some sloppy shooting by the Lakers pushed their lead to 37-25 by the end of the first period. Lakers started making a recovery in the second period
as they outscored the Raptors 28-22 in the second quarter to reduce the deficit.
Lakers looked sharp early on in the third quarter but the Raptors started pulling ahead later in the period. Toronto outscored Los Angeles 30-26 in the third quarter to extend their lead to 10 points by the end of the quarter.
Lakers looked in pressure as they needed the win desperately to keep their hopes of making into the play offs alive. Kobe stepped up for his team at just the right time as the Lakers started cutting the deficit at break neck speed.
Bryant nailed a three pointer to make it a 2 point game on 103-105 before Anderson made a layup at other side of the court to put the Raptors up by 4 points with less than 1:26 in the regulation. With 5.5 seconds in regulation, Bryant nailed another three
pointer to tie the score and take the game into overtime.
Score was all tied on 115 again when Kobe dribbled in and made a two handed dunk which pretty much sealed the deal for the Lakers.
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