| |
|
NBA -- The Black Mamba strikes again
By Jose Roberto Meza
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 20 May 2012
LOS ANGELES -- With his team down 2-0 and falling fast and furious in the ongoing Western Conference semifinals, Los Angeles Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant came to the rescue just in the nick of time.
The Black Mamba was spectacular Friday night, dropping 36 points to lead the Lakers past the rolling Oklahoma City Thunder, 99-96, in Game 3 of their best-of-7 showdown. The triumphant Lakers aim for the series-tying victory when both teams go at it again Saturday night at the Staples Center in dowtown Los Angeles.
Bryant didn't have a picnic shooting the ball, what with the speed, quickness and length of the Thunder defenders, but like the great ones always do, the 13-time All-Star found a way and gutted out a winning effort that also yielded seven rebounds, six assists and two steals. The only wrinkle was a pair of turnovers.
The 6-foot-6, 205-pound Bryant, drilled only 9-of-25 shots, but he was money from the free throw line -- 18-for-18. Kobe's four free throws late helped Los Angeles survive a 92-87 scare with only 2:54 left in the fourth quarter.
Prior to his Game 3 explosion, Bryant has had a quiet series against the Thunder, scoring just 20 each in Games 1 and 2 and hititing a mere 16 of 43 field goals. But now, thankfully for the purple-and-gold faithfuls, Kobe seems to have found his stride.
Suiting up in his 15th season with the Lakers, Bryant might be getting up there in age. But at 33, he is obviously far from done. (Jose Roberto Meza)
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Jose Roberto Meza.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Kevin Brown and Yoenis Tellez Shine at Boxlab Promotions’ “Night of Champions XIII” During the 104th Annual WBA Convention
, Tue, 16 Dec 2025TRAINING CAMP NOTES: Justin Cardona Shares Insights Ahead of December 19 Showdown Against Avious Griffin
, Tue, 16 Dec 2025JAS MATHUR JOINS MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS AS CEO TO LEAD STRATEGIC VISION, CREATIVITY AND GLOBAL GROWTH INITIATIVES
, Tue, 16 Dec 2025Split-T Management Signs Amateur Standout Adrian Salazar
, Tue, 16 Dec 2025INTERNATIONAL BOXING HALL OF FAME REMEMBERS CANASTOTA’S MANAGER / TRAINER / PROMOTER TONY GRAZIANO
, Mon, 15 Dec 2025Catubig, Prado win Suy Foods Santa Run
By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 15 Dec 2025Junior, Youth and Elite Divisions Awarded on Final Day of 2025 USA Boxing National Championships
, Mon, 15 Dec 2025Jean Henri Lhuillier Applauds Cebuana Lhuillier Ambassadors for Bronze Finish at SEA Games 2025
, Mon, 15 Dec 2025NOEL MIKAELIAN DETHRONES BADOU JACK TO BECOME THE NEW WBC CRUISERWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPION
, Sun, 14 Dec 2025FM Alekhine Nouri tops Kamatyas chessfest
By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 14 Dec 2025Dante Kirkman Dominates DePriest Johnson in Unanimous Victory at Fight Club OC
, Sun, 14 Dec 2025Bantam and Intermediate Divisions Crowned on Day Five of 2025 USA Boxing National Championships
, Sun, 14 Dec 2025Murat Gassiev Brutally Knocks Out Kubrat Pulev in Dubai
By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 13 Dec 2025United States Air Force Paralegals: Law, Order, and Excellence
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Sat, 13 Dec 2025OFFICIAL WEIGHTS AND RUNNING ORDER FOR PACHECO VS SADJO IN STOCKTON
, Sat, 13 Dec 2025OFFICIAL WEIGHTS FROM TODAY'S CHM: 2 REMATCH SEASON CEREMONIAL WEIGH-INS IN DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES
, Sat, 13 Dec 2025Donaire to fight Tsutsumi on December 17 in Japan
By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 13 Dec 2025Nesthy faces Indon legend
By Joaquin Henson, , Sat, 13 Dec 2025Bob Santos Joins Broadcast Team for Boxlab Promotions’ “Night of Champions XIII” During WBA’s 104th Annual Convention
, Sat, 13 Dec 2025Championship Bouts Set for the Bantam and Intermediate Division
, Sat, 13 Dec 2025SEAG Triathlon, aquathlon, duathlon in Rayong
By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 13 Dec 2025Jeremy Marticio wins IIEE SIKAT, ICFF won PTC World Engineering Opening
By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 13 Dec 2025Facularin to fight Torres on December 13 in Japan
By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 12 Dec 2025Baricuatro wins, Veloso falters in SEAG boxing
By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 12 Dec 2025BASH BOXING AND UP NEXT FIGHTING RETURN WITH SPECIAL EDITION UNF 29 TOMORROW NIGHT AT ACE · MISSION STUDIOS IN LOS ANGELES
, Fri, 12 Dec 2025 |
|
|
|
|
|
