Kobe’s season-high 38 helps Lakers avoid franchise-record skid
The Los Angeles Lakers came into Tuesday night’s game at Staples Center needing a win to avoid setting a new franchise record for consecutive losses. They relied on the man they’ve called upon so many times for the better part of two decades.
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Kobe Bryant set a season high with 38 points, including seven three-pointers (on 11 attempts), to keep the Lakers from dropping their 11th game in a row with a 119-115 win. Another loss would have broken the previous record of 10 set during Magic Johnson’s illustrious tenure as head coach in 1994. Instead, the Los Angeles crowd was treated to Kobe’s first seven-triple performance since 2008 and the NBA’s first 38-point game by a 37-year-old since Reggie Miller in 2005.
Bryant’s points were also important — he scored the Lakers’ final eight, including six free throws to ice the win. But this vintage pull-up jumper with 26 seconds remaining was a lot prettier.
It was a narrow escape for the Lakers, who led by 11 heading into the fourth quarter and saw that margin dwindle to three points after surrendering 12 in the first 3:05 of the period. The Wolves took the lead briefly on a bucket from Zach LaVine (off one of Ricky Rubio’s 15 assists) with 5:15 left, but Kobe followed with two three-pointers to keep the Lakers in front.
It’s perhaps slightly underwhelming for a player as decorated as Bryant to be the hero in his team’s first win since January 13, but he and the Lakers will have to settle for that sort of success right now. (Plus, it was pretty enjoyable to watch despite the context.) It didn’t matter much to Minnesota coach Sam Mitchell, who offered his thoughts on Kobe’s career after the game:
I guess it’s hard to forgive someone who scored 81 points against your team. Kobe naturally welcomed the sentiment:
The Wolves were a mixed bag, shooting 57.5 percent from the field but playing to type with a 4-of-17 showing from beyond the arc. They’re now in the midst of their own five-game losing streak and have gone just 2-16 since December 30. At least Andrew Wiggins (30 points on 13-of-20 FG) impressed offensively.
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Eric Freeman is a writer for Ball Don’t Lie on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter!
