Michael Jordan high scored

SAN ANTONIO - For a short two-minute stretch in the 3rd quarter up against the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday, l . a . Lakers star Kobe Bryant cannot miss.

Holding their follow through for a long period of time in the first couple of, Bryant nailed three successive three-pointers plus drew a foul about this third make. Bryant made the free-throw to accomplish the four-point play to get 12 straight things the Lakers.

Bryant had one more classic Kobe moment late into the 4th quarter.

Guarded closely by Kawhi Leonard, Bryant pulled up-and knocked-down his fourth three associated with the game inside front side of San Antonio's workbench. Following the shot moved in, Bryant turned to Tim Duncan, who was injured in the bench, and merely shrugged his arms.

“[Duncan] ended up being like, `no chance, ' and I also ended up being like `Dude, ' ” Bryant said following the game concerning the chance. “just what could I do? We miss out the easy people while making some B.S. that way. I do not even know what to inform you. It was Tim's form of a yell, so it had been a very good whisper.”

Bryant finished the video game with 25 points (FG: 9-28, 3PT: 4-14) and four assists. Their big shots helped the Lakers stay within striking distance regarding the Spurs as well as a few minutes really had the lead. It absolutely was a throwback overall performance for Bryant, who has been coping with a shoulder damage for most regarding the season and contains struggled to score and capture the basketball.

Their play on Saturday ended up being a familiar picture for Spurs mind advisor Gregg Popovich, who had to strategy contrary to the Lakers for 90 games in Bryant's profession. Both teams had been bitter competitors for more than ten years and Popovich, which complimented the Lakers celebrity in a pregame tribute video clip, had only high compliments for Bryant following the game.

“It was like seeing Michael [Jordan], ” Popovich said. “I happened to be simply viewing. It absolutely was great. It had been great. We made some mistakes. He took advantage of it. He's fantastic.”