| |
|
NBA -- Lakers fall in ​Kobe​'s farewell to Toronto​
By Mark Josef
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 09 Dec 2015
TORONTO -- A thick crowd of 20,163 fans trooped to the Air Canada Centre on Monday night to watch Kobe Bryant play in Toronto for the last time following his announcement to retirement at the end of this 2015-16 NBA season.
The 6-foot-6, 212-pound guard, a 5-time NBA champion and 17-time All-Star, put on a modest show, hitting eight of 16 field goals to finish with 21 points alongside eight rebounds and four assists. In 33 previous games against the Raptors over the past 19 seasons, Bryant had averaged 27 points.
This time, though, the Raptors had the final say and defeated the visiting Lakers, 102-93. The Lakers tumbled to 3-18 in the overall standings while Toronto, which ended a two-game home slide, improved to 13-9.
Kyle Lowry paced the Raptors with 27 points and six assists while Terrence Ross, who started in place of the injured DeMarre Carroll), added 22 points and six rebounds. DeMar DeRozan and Bismack Biyombo each had 15 points with Biyombo adding 11 boards Corey Joseph added 14 off the bench for Toronto.
Besides getting 21 from Kobe, the Lakers also drew 15 and 11 rebounds from Julius Randle. Lou Williams also had 15 while Jordan Clarkson contributed 13 markers and five rebounds. The Lakers made only 34 of 83 field goals (41 percent) and 7-of-19 from 3-point range (36.8 percent).
Bryant, 37, entering his 20th campaign, was blown away by fans' reception in Toronto.
"Wow.Wow," he told reporters. It felt absolutely amazing. Siting on the bench and they started chanting. We want Kobe! I was like give me five minutes."
Photo: An appreciative Kobe Bryant thanks Raptors fans for the love.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Mark Josef.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
PHILBOXING.COM THURSDAY ROUNDUP: Scale Shock in Pattaya, Red Sea Staredowns, and Final Countdown to Sydney
By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , , Thu, 23 Jul 2026USA Boxing Sends Eight Boxers to Italy for International Duel
, Thu, 23 Jul 2026P248k prize on the line in Moon Cake Festival Pro Amateur 10-ball tournament at Pacman's Cue Club
By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 23 Jul 2026Super Lightweight Contender Frank “The Ghost” Martin Inks Promotional Pact with Top Rank
By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , , Thu, 23 Jul 2026DUELING TUNE-UPS: Joshua and Fury Play High-Stakes Chicken Across Asia with November Mega-Fight Hanging in the Balance
By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , , Wed, 22 Jul 2026Chavon Stillwell and Izaiah Dent Put Their Perfect Records on the Line in a Can't-Miss Main Event at BiYu Promotions' "Fights Under the Lights"
By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , , Wed, 22 Jul 2026Unbeaten Bizhamov faces Mironchikov in IBA Pro 20 main event in Naberezhnye Chelny
By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , , Wed, 22 Jul 2026Cuarto ready to fight Paradero
By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 22 Jul 2026CHAVES DEFENDS WBO LATINO TITLE AGAINST GARCIA AT PRUDENTIAL CENTER IN NEWARK, NJ ON SEPT 4
By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , , Wed, 22 Jul 2026Undefeated Middleweight Prospect Sebastian Juarez Returns August 8 Against Rance Ward
By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , , Wed, 22 Jul 2026WBC President Mauricio Sulaimán and WBC Cares visits Pedro Fiorito Hospital in Avellaneda, Argentina
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 22 Jul 2026COLD SHOULDER IN SYDNEY: Spence and Tszyu Trade Snubs and Staredowns at Grand Arrivals Launch
By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , , Tue, 21 Jul 2026Suarez, Lewkowicz Ask the WBO to Enforce Navarrete Rematch and Begin Negotiations Immediately
By Carlos Costa, , Tue, 21 Jul 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 20 JULY 2026: Papot Outpoints Eubank; Pacheco Stops Aleem; Suarez Smokes Avila in One Round
By Eric Armit, , Tue, 21 Jul 2026Fiery Exchange at Fanatics Fest: Garcia and Benn Nearly Brawl in New York Ahead of Sept. 12 Title Clash
By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , , Tue, 21 Jul 2026John Michael Zulueta Headlines in Highland Show July 25 in Thailand, LIVE on TrillerTV
By Carlos Costa, , Tue, 21 Jul 2026Results from Dominican Republic: Alberto Puello Stops Ángel Bolaño in 3
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 21 Jul 2026Matchroom Boxing reveals major fights in UK & Ireland schedule from August to October
, Tue, 21 Jul 2026Colombia National Congress Awarded "Kid Pambelé" with Grand Cross Knight
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 21 Jul 2026MILO Marathon returns to Davao on August 2
By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 21 Jul 2026PHILBOXING.COM WEEKEND ROUNDUP: News, Fallout, and the Long Shadow of Sydney
By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , , Tue, 21 Jul 2026Joe Hand Promotions Secures Commercial Rights for Errol Spence Jr. vs. Tim Tszyu Showdown
, Tue, 21 Jul 2026Grandy Twins Head to Tampa to Learn from Hall of Famers Antonio Tarver and Winky Wright Ahead of August 14 Homecoming Fight
, Tue, 21 Jul 2026Matchroom Extends Brentwood Town Fc Partnership as Principle Partner for Next Five Years as Barry Hearn Obe Provides Significant Investment to Non-League Football Club
, Tue, 21 Jul 2026IBA Pro announces departure of Director Al Siesta
, Mon, 20 Jul 2026 |
|
|
|
|
|
