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Bryant explodes for 62 points in win over Mavericks
(Reuters)
Updated: 2005-12-21 15:30
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Kobe Bryant poured in a career high 62 points to power the Los Angeles Lakers to a 112-90 win over the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday at the Staples Center.
Kobe Bryant points to the crowd after he scored 62 points, a personal record and a Staples Center record, against the Dallas Mavericks in NBA action in Los Angeles, December 20, 2005. [Reuters] |
Bryant's spectacular performance included 18-of-31 shooting from the floor and 22-of-25 from the free throw line in just 33 minutes of work guiding the surging Lakers to their eighth win in 10 games.
The night began modestly for the 27-year-old all-star, scoring 15 points in the opening quarter and adding 17 in the second before exploding for a franchise record 30 in the third quarter behind a dazzling display of shot-making.
Bryant's performance, however, fell just shy of the NBA single quarter points record of 33 set by George Gervin in 1978.
The 62 points eclipsed Bryant's previous career single game high of 56 set in 2002 against Memphis and are the most by a member of the Lakes since Shaquille O'Neal hit for 61 against the Los Angeles Clippers in 2000.
No other Los Angeles player managed to reach double figures, Chris Mihm contributing nine points and eight rebounds to the victory while Laron Profit had eight.
Dirk Nowitzki and Devin Harris both had 18 points for the Mavericks.
BOGUT STARS
In Milwaukee, Andrew Bogut drained a fadeaway jump shot as time ran off the clock to earn the Bucks a 109-107 overtime win over the San Antonio Spurs.
Bogut, the number one pick in this year's draft, finished the night with 19 points and nine rebounds while Maurice Williams helped out with a team best 28 points.
Tim Duncan had a game high 34 points and pulled down 13 rebounds in a losing cause while Tony Parker had 22 points and dished out 11 assists as the NBA champions lost two straight for the first time this season.
In Miami, Shaquille O'Neal scored 28 points and pulled down 10 rebounds to lead the Heat to a 111-92 victory over the Atlanta Hawks, giving Pat Riley his first home win since taking over as coach.
O'Neal hit his first eight shots and finished 13-of-15 from the floor in 24 minutes of work as the Heat rolled to their fifth win in six games, improving to 4-1 under Riley, who took over as coach from Stan Van Gundy last week.
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