Nothing has come easy to the Lakers and on Friday night it was back to reality for the team. Kobe Bryant scored 40 points to squeeze out an 111-107 win over the Portland Trail Blazers. Bryant hit 15 of 23 shots and all 9 free throws, at Staples Center, to lead the Lakers to their second straight win. Dwight Howard finally stepped up and scored 19 points and grabbed 16 rebounds, but had a scare at the end of the first half with a thought of a re-injured right shoulder. Portland on the other hand has lost its seventh straight game.
How did this win happen? In the first half, Portland’s young struggling team was shooting the Staples Center lights out, shooting 51% from the field. Kobe Bryant kept them in the game the third quarter by scoring 18 points. In the fourth, there were several key defensive plays and four clutch free throws by Bryant in the final 12.9 seconds to secure the win for the Lakers. Head coach Mike D’Antoni told reporters before Friday’s game that Kobe has been dealing with a shoulder injury, but Bryant showed no pain, assuming by his great performance Friday night.
There is little room for error for the Lakers at this point of the season. The Lakers need to win about 70% of their remaining 27 games in order to make it into the playoffs.
How did this win happen? In the first half, Portland’s young struggling team was shooting the Staples Center lights out, shooting 51% from the field. Kobe Bryant kept them in the game the third quarter by scoring 18 points. In the fourth, there were several key defensive plays and four clutch free throws by Bryant in the final 12.9 seconds to secure the win for the Lakers. Head coach Mike D’Antoni told reporters before Friday’s game that Kobe has been dealing with a shoulder injury, but Bryant showed no pain, assuming by his great performance Friday night.
There is little room for error for the Lakers at this point of the season. The Lakers need to win about 70% of their remaining 27 games in order to make it into the playoffs.
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