After a 17-point loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on March 5, dropping two in a row after a successful stretch of 6-2 would undoubtedly spread panic through LA. Yet due to the prowess of Kobe Bryant, the Lakers came back from as many as 25 to win.
A 42-point, 12-assist night led his team to success, and Bryant's performance was a catalyst as LA outscored New Orleans 33-9 in the final quarter. Let's break down just how Kobe accomplished such a feat.
First Quarter: Eight points (3-of-5 shooting), one assist.
His first points came with just 2:17 left in the period, as Bryant started his night off in unspectacular fashion.
An ill-advised pull-up three clanged off the back iron, just five seconds into the shot-clock, alongside a missed mid-range jumper, getting Kobe off to a bad start. He followed that up with a travel in the low post, as the defense forced Bryant to walk before he could dribble the basketball.
As Eric Gordon headed to the bench with his second foul, a combination of Austin Rivers and Brian Roberts allowed Kobe to get some breathing room. He knocked down an off-balance jumper from above the free-throw line, getting his initial two points of the game.
The guard then hit back-to-back three-pointers, less than 30 seconds apart, to tie the game heading into the break. Roberts seemingly forgot where Bryant was on both shots.
Second Quarter: Nine points (2-of-5 shooting).
After playing the entire first quarter, Bryant was subbed back in with 5:56 to go in the second period. He immediately missed a contested three, and was spectacularly rejected by Ryan Anderson on a drive to the rim.
Much like the first quarter, Kobe needed time to warm up. He was called for a questio...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers
