| |
|
NBA -- Lakers cling to 8th playoffs spot
By Joan Secuya-Medida PhilBoxing.com Fri, 12 Apr 2013
 Bryant.
SAN FRANCISCO -- The Los Angeles Lakers moved ahead of the Utah Jazz in the tight race for the 8th and last playoffs berth in the Western Conference by beating the Portland Trail Blazers 113-106 Wednesday night at the Rose Garden.
Kobe Bryant served up one of his best efforts of the season and scored 47 points in 48 minutes of play. Kobe made 14 of 27 field goals and went 18-for-18 from the free throw stripe.
The Lakers big men -- Dwight Howard and Pau Gasol -- provided inside might while Kobe tormented the Blazers with mostly jumpers and perimeter shots. Gasol had 23 points and nine rebounds while Howard finished with 20 and 10 rebounds.
After surrendering 41 first quarter points and trailing by two late in the fourth quarter, Los Angeles took control by going on an 8-0 run for a 106-100 lead with 4:09 left to play.
"He (Kobe) imposed his will on us tonight," Portland All-Star LaMarcus Aldridge told NBA.com. Aldridge had a huge 17 points and 16 rebounds for the short-handed Blazers who started four rookies against the visiting Lakers.
Overshadowed by Kobe's explosion was the spectacular effort turned in by leading Rookie of the Year candidate Damian Lillard, who scored 38 and dished nine assists. But Lillard's brilliance wasn't enough to carry a Blazers team that made only 38 of 85 field goals and 12 of 26 threes. (JSM)
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joan Secuya-Medida.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Murat Gassiev to face Peter Kadiru for the WBA Heavyweight world title , Tue, 07 Jul 2026Bansilan, Tan rule Faith Run , Tue, 07 Jul 2026Teremoana and new Matchroom Boxing signing Zerafa confirmed for big August 12 card in Australia , Mon, 06 Jul 2026Jayson Vayson Returns to World Rankings By Carlos Costa, , Mon, 06 Jul 2026Yor beats Salisad in technical decision, wants rematch By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 06 Jul 2026War, Chess, and Writs: Why Mayweather vs. Pacquiao II is Postponed, Not Scrapped By Dong Secuya, , Mon, 06 Jul 2026Nabunturan wins 3-on-3 MMA By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 06 Jul 2026Clarion, Yanon suffer KO losses in Japan By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 06 Jul 2026Abdullah Mason Stops Albert Bell To Defend Lightweight Crown , Sun, 05 Jul 2026CARLO BIADO IS THE 2026 INDONESIA INTERNATIONAL OPEN CHAMPION By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 05 Jul 2026Fight options for Manny By Joaquin Henson, , Sun, 05 Jul 2026Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: The World Cup: a great celebration of peace and joy By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Sun, 05 Jul 2026Abdullah Mason vs Albert Bell Debuts DAZN/TNT Sports Deal By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 04 Jul 2026Jonas Magpantay advances to the quarterfinals By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 04 Jul 2026Weigh-In Results: Abdullah Mason vs. Albert Bell , Sat, 04 Jul 2026All Set for the All-Undefeated Clash Between Christopher Guerrero and Delante 'Tiger' Johnson Tomorrow Night in Cleveland , Sat, 04 Jul 2026Brave Alvin "Felemon" Dologuin Bested in Australia By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 04 Jul 2026BKFC TRIUMPHANTLY RETURNS TO NEWARK’S PRUDENTIAL CENTER ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17 , Sat, 04 Jul 2026Tony Yoka forced to withdraw from Murat Gassiev WBA heavyweight title shot due to back injury , Sat, 04 Jul 2026Recarte Tiauson wins Canlaon chess By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 04 Jul 2026Press Conference Notes: Abdullah Mason and Albert Bell Set for All-Ohio World Title Clash Saturday LIVE on TNT & DAZN , Fri, 03 Jul 2026Dologuin Fights Alsayyad: Flyweight Showdown Today in Australia By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 03 Jul 2026Enano to fight for IBO Oceania featherweight title By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 03 Jul 2026IM Garcia captures National Open chess title By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 03 Jul 2026Open Workout: Abdullah Mason and Albert Bell Prepare For Saturday's All-Ohio World Title Showdown , Thu, 02 Jul 2026 |

|
|
|
|
|