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Lakers Fall Short As Kobe Reaches Another Milestone
Lakers (33-14) vs. Kings (11-33)
The game started off with a scary moment. Kobe tried to draw a blocking foul on Tyreke Evans, but got there late and hit the ground. He favored his shoulder right when he hit the floor and just laid there for another 10 seconds.
Kobe just needed extra time to let the shoulder heal. He came out ready to pass up Hakeem for 8th all-time on the scoring list. He scored 9 of the first 13 points for the Lakers. With 3:30 left in the first quarter, Kobe created a turnover which lead to a fast break dunk. That dunk helped Kobe pass Hakeem Olajuwon for 8th all-time. {Link}
Kobe ended the quarter with 21 points and Kings rookie, Demarcus Cousins had 12 points of his own.
Lakers led 33-30 after the first quarter.
Sloppy second quarter for the Lakers. The bench did their best of keeping it a close game but had no luck scoring much. Cousins went on a tear and finished the quarter with 22 points. Shannon Brown had eight points and Kobe finished with 26 at the half.
No defense played by either team and the Lakers didn't come out with the same energy they had against Utah earlier this week. Lakers trailed 59-55 at half.
No defense in the third quarter. Lakers came out flat and allowed the Kings to extend their 4-point lead to 20 with 4 minutes left in the third. Lakers cut into the huge deficit before the quarter ended. Kings led 85-71 after three.
The Lakers couldn't catch a break early in the fourth. Every time they got within single digits, the Kings would respond with a basket.
With less than 5 minutes left in the game, the Lakers finally showed up. They were playing with so much energy and passing the ball around to get easy buckets in the paint. Lakers cut the lead down to 4 points, but couldn't stop the Kings at the other end.
Kings hit most of their free throws down the stretch and never let the Lakers get within one possession
Ugly loss against a young Sacramento Kings team. This snapped an 8-game winning streak for the Lakers against the Kings.
Sunday on ABC
12:30 p.m. (pacific)
Lakers vs. Celtics
Key Numbers:
38 overall points for Kobe
21 first quarter points for Kobe
17 points for Shannon Brown (Off the bench)
8th all-time on NBA scoring list for Kobe
Box Score: Lakers 95 Kings100
Picture Credit: Getty Images
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