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)
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