Led by Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers edge past the Golden State Warriors 120-112: NBA Recap
The Los Angeles Lakers were able to defeat the Golden State Warriors in a closely contested regular season fixture between the two teams, here at the Staples Center on Sunday night. The final score was 120-112 to the Lakers. Kobe
Bryant was the highlight of the match with 40 points, his first 40 point plus game since January 14th.
"Obviously, Kobe going 16-for-28 and 3-for-3 from the 3-point line and the 40 points, he was very efficient shooting and scoring the basketball." Said Lakers coach Mike Brown.
The Lakers were met with an early blow in the first quarter when their centre Andrew Bynum twisted his left ankle and had to depart for the game. It was an evenly contested game till the first half with the Lakers leading by 57-54
at half-time. However, LAL did some inspired 3-point shooting in the third quarter to outscore the Warriors 33-22.
Golden State did manage a comeback in the final quarter but had no answer for Bryant who was 16-for-28 in field goals made and 3-for-3 in 3-pointer. Ramon Sessions of the Los Angeles Lakers provided some much needed support to
Bryant with 23 points and 9 dimes.
David Lee of the Warriors scored 27 points with a field goal percentage of 40%. Add to that 7 assists and 6 rebounds and Lee had a commendable outing. Golden State also matched their season low of 5 turnovers for the game and their
bench put up some good numbers. Richard Jefferson and Nate Robinson shot a combined 10-of-11 from the 3 point range.
Bynum was examined for possible damage to his ankle but the x-rays came back negative. He will be re-evaluated on Monday. If Bynum has to miss a few days, Bryant said the Lakers can adjust.
"I don't think it's a championship formula, but we can for the time being," he said. "Sessions is one of those players who can carry a game offensively, he's a great scorer. And Pau can obviously do what he does."
It was a tremendous confidence booster for Kobe was came into this game shooting 31-102 over the last five games (30.4%). In his last game, he missed his first 15 shots before putting one in finally, and was met with a great deal
of criticism from analysts and commentators alike.
"It's always interesting to me to hear people talk after a game like that," said Bryant "The amount of idiots that live out here after 16 years baffle me. I guess people just get dumber over the years".
Pau Gasol’s 26 points and 4-5 free throw shooting for the Lakers was overshadowed by Kobe’s on-court magic.
With this win, the Lakers improve their win-loss record to 33-20, and move 2 games clear of the Los Angeles Clippers. The Lakers are currently ranked 3rd in the western conference.
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