"I'm as puzzled by it as you are," Kobe Bryant smiled after the Thursday's win.
Bryant had scored 27 points, including 12 points in the fourth quarter, to help the Los Angeles Lakers to a 99-96 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans. Following up on his 38-point performance on Tuesday night, the 37-year-old showed that he still had a bit of magic left in his basketball shoes.
Bryant started the game with 11 points in his first eight minutes, as he helped the Lakers to an early double-digit lead. When Bryant took his first rest of the game, the Lakers led by 11 points. When he returned in the second quarter, the Lakers trailed by two points. By the halftime buzzer, the 20-year professional had helped the Lakers to an 11-point lead.
Lakers second-year guard Jordan Clarkson assisted Bryant on his mission to collect wins, as the 23-year-old contributed 16 points on 7-7 shooting in the first half. Bryant had 13 points at that stage.
As would be expected from a team with 41 losses on the season, the Lakers nearly managed to entirely give away their lead. With 1:18 remaining in the ball game, Anthony Davis dunked the ball to bring the home team within three points. Davis would finish with 39 points and 11 rebounds in the loss.
After Davis' dunk, Bryant reached back in time and pulled out a 26-foot three-point shot that but the Lakers up by six points with a minute to play. And, yes, Bryant wagged his finger in celebration.
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A series of strange plays, including inexplicable clock management and a couple missed dunks by the Pelicans, in the final minutes helped the Lakers claim their 11th victory of the 2015-16 season. After the confusion settled, Bryant dusted off his books and walked off as the game winning hero for the second game in a row.
"I don't think he's ready to retire yet," second-year forward Julius Randle joked about Bryant after the game.
Along with his 27 points on 10-24 shooting, Bryant also contributed 12 rebounds, two assists and two steals. Over his past three games, Bryant is averaging 29.3 points, 8.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists on 44.4 percent shooting from the field--not bad for a 37-year-old.
Next, the Lakers face San Antonio on Saturday for Bryant's farewell to one of his fiercest rivals.
Notes: Rookie D'Angelo Russell continued his strong play with 13 points on 6-12 shooting to go along with three assists and three rebounds in 29 minutes.
Quotes via Time Warner Cable SportsNet
