| |
|
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:
PLANET ICE FIGHT NIGHT: WEIGH-IN RESULTS AS BROWN AND DUCAR FACE-OFF FOR FINAL TIME
, Fri, 03 Apr 2026Battle of the Trades Returns for Its 3rd Year April 25 at Torrey Pines Community Resource Center in Las Vegas
, Fri, 03 Apr 2026Bobby Laing vs. Russ Kimber in intriguing Intra-state match-up between Massachusetts Light Heavyweights on ‘Rumble at the Rink II’
, Fri, 03 Apr 2026PH chess wizard Jacobb Seda ties for 1st, settles for silver on tiebreaks in Thailand meet
By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 03 Apr 2026Rene “Chulo” Santiago, Masataka Taniguchi Officially Make Weight for Friday’s Unified World Title Clash in Tokyo
, Thu, 02 Apr 2026Marlon Tapales and Yukinori Oguni Make Weight in Clash of Former World Champions
, Thu, 02 Apr 2026Taduran in high spirits ahead of title defense in California
By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 02 Apr 2026Waiting to beat Floyd
By Joaquin Henson, , Thu, 02 Apr 202620th Philippine Xiangqi Open tournament on May 1
By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 02 Apr 2026Can Tapales Overpower Oguni to Increase his Chances of Another World Title Fight?
By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 02 Apr 2026BROWN-DUCAR PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES IN FULL: EVERYTHING THAT WAS SAID AHEAD OF FRIDAY'S ALTRINCHAM FIGHT NIGHT
, Thu, 02 Apr 2026Wise Owl Boxing Makes Headlines Again with Signing of Former World Champion Julio Cesar “El Rey” Martinez
, Thu, 02 Apr 2026Santiago-Taniguchi Final Presser
, Wed, 01 Apr 2026Jimuel in Action on Friday!
By Carlos Costa, , Wed, 01 Apr 2026“Rumble in the Une” Makes History in Union City with Star-Studded Fight Card Headlined by Jacob Macalolooy
, Wed, 01 Apr 2026Is Floyd chickening out?
By Joaquin Henson, , Wed, 01 Apr 2026Bacaro to challenge Toyoshima on April 4
By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 01 Apr 2026IBA steps forward as potential organiser for Bivol vs Beterbiev trilogy bout
, Wed, 01 Apr 2026PBF president Almario dies
By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 01 Apr 2026Portland Trail Blazers have new owner after $4.25 billion sale
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 01 Apr 2026PH chess wizard seven-year old Noah Lucas Palcis finishes second in Bangkok chess
By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 01 Apr 20262 Time World Champion Marcos Maidana Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
, Wed, 01 Apr 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 30 MARCH 2026: Itauma Destroys Franklin in 5; Fundora Dismantles Thurman in 6
By Eric Armit, , Tue, 31 Mar 2026Panamanian WBC Judge Jesus Aleman murdered in Panama
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 31 Mar 2026‘I won’t be holding anything back! – Big Bad Bazley challenges The Pilgrim Ryan Williams for Heavyweight title May 29 in Perth – Thunderdome 54
, Tue, 31 Mar 2026 |
|
|
|
|
|
