Lakers bounce back behind Bryant
- Source: Global Times
- [22:19 November 18 2009]
- Comments
Kobe Bryant (left) of the Los Angeles Lakers drives past Jason Maxiell (No.54) and Will Bynum of the Detroit Pistons during the game on Wednesday. Photo: AFP
Kobe Bryant scored 40 points for the 100th time in his career, and the Los Angeles Lakers avoided a three-game losing streak with a 106-93 win over the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday.
Andrew Bynum had 17 points and 12 rebounds for the Lakers, who took a 28-point lead before surviving Detroit's impressive fourth-quarter rally to avoid their first three-game skid in nearly two years, following back-to-back losses to Denver and Houston.
Bryant didn't appear to be slowed by his strained groin while scoring 27 points in the middle two quarters before reaching 40 on a 3-pointer with 19 seconds left. With four 40-point games already this season after getting just four all last year, Kobe trails only Wilt Chamberlain (271) and Michael Jordan (173) in 40-point games in NBA history.
Will Bynum scored 10 of his 24 points in the final period for the Pistons, who opened a four-game West Coast trip with their second straight loss. Detroit chopped the Lakers' lead to 98-91 with 1:55 to play before Shannon Brown made three free throws and a soaring dunk to seal it.
Bryant led the Lakers in scoring for the 10th time in 11 games. Andrew Bynum also was steady again, delivering his eighth game with at least 10 points and 10 rebounds.
The Lakers still haven't lost three straight games since Pau Gasol joined the club on February 1, 2008, although the Spaniard again was out of the lineup with a hamstring injury. He might try to play for the first time this season against Chicago tomorrow.
Luke Walton also will be out for six weeks with a pinched nerve in his back – but Detroit is even more seriously injury-depleted than the Lakers, with Richard Hamilton (sprained right ankle) and Tayshaun Prince (back injury) still out of the lineup.
