Sports

Hot Kobe pushes Lakers past Warriors

(China Daily)
Updated: 2009-12-31 08:11

Los Angeles sink Golden State as star hits his stride again in 124-118 victory

Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (left) drives on Golden State Warriors center Ronny Turiaf for a basket in the second half of their NBA game on Tuesday. The Lakers won 124-118. AP

LOS ANGELES: Kobe Bryant made 16 free throws without a miss despite a broken finger on his shooting hand. He played nearly 43 minutes against the run-and-gun Warriors in his fourth game in five nights.

And in a feat of strength to match those marvels of skill and endurance, he put the Los Angeles Lakers on his back and carried them past Golden State.

Bryant had a season-high 44 points and 11 assists amid perfection from the foul line as Los Angeles survived Golden State's 55-percent shooting for a 124-118 victory on Tuesday night.

"By his effort alone, I think we owe this game to him in the win column," said Phil Jackson, who gave in to Bryant's request to get back in the game even when his exhaustion was obvious.

Pau Gasol had a season-high 27 points and 12 rebounds for the defending NBA champions, who have struggled without injured forward Ron Artest during a clear dip in their mostly trouble-free season.

The Lakers relied even more heavily than usual on Bryant to avoid their third loss in four days. Bryant came through with 27 points in the second half and 17 in the fourth quarter, clinching his seventh 40-point game of the season on two free throws with 4:04 left.

"That guy is amazing," Warriors coach Don Nelson said. "To be able to shoot like he did with the finger problems that he has on his shooting hand, it's amazing. I love watching him play and it's always a pleasure to coach against him."

The huge wrap on the index finger of Bryant's right hand covers the most obvious of his several minor injuries. Bryant had said his free throws were particularly tough with that wrap - yet he was perfect, sealing the win with seven free throws in the final period.

"It's really just the up-and-downs of the season," said Bryant, whose 103 40-point games are the third-most in NBA history. "You're going to have stretches when you're not playing well. It's about how you deal with it and how you play through it."

Corey Maggette scored 25 points and Monta Ellis added 22 for the Warriors, who beat Phoenix and Boston in the previous three days during the best stretch of another rough start to a season.

Golden State shot superbly and ran their uptempo offense well but had nobody who could guard Bryant in the Warriors' seventh straight loss to the Lakers. The Warriors haven't won three straight games yet this season.

The Lakers still have the NBA's best record (25-6) despite two 15-point losses in the previous three days, including their 102-87 Christmas flop against Cleveland.

(China Daily 12/31/2009 page23)