Kobe Bryant banked in a running 12 foot jump shot over Caron Butler with 25 seconds left, then went one for two on foul shots 10 seconds later in the Los Angeles Lakers’ 106-104 victory
Kobe Bryant guides the Los Angeles team edge out Washington Wizards 106-104
WASHINGTON: Kobe Bryant banked in a running 12 foot jump shot over Caron Butler with 25 seconds left, then went one for two on foul shots 10 seconds later in the Los Angeles Lakers’ 106-104 victory over the Washington Wizards on Friday.
After Bryant’s miss at the line —- he made all 13 other free throws he took —- Butler had a chance to win it for Washington, but missed a three point attempt at the buzzer.
Bryant was five for 17 from the field and finished with 23 points, seven rebounds and seven assists. Andrew Bynum had a season high 19 points, along with 10 rebounds, and Pau Gasol had 17 points and 10 rebounds. Butler led Washington, down by 20 in the fourth quarter, with 26 points.
Elsewhere in NBA...
At Boston, Ray Allen scored 19 points and Rajon Rondo followed his first career triple double with 16 points, eight rebounds and seven assists as Boston downed Portland. Boston’s 11th straight win — its longest streak since its championship winning season of 1985 86 — snapped Portland’s six game winning streak.
It was the first time the Trail Blazers lost with Greg Oden in the starting lineup since the season opener, when he left scoreless with a sprained right foot after less than 13 minutes. Oden had just five points with six rebounds in 18 minutes before picking up his sixth on a questionable call with about four minutes left.
At Cleveland, Anderson Varejao, with thousands of fans wearing curly, red headed hair pieces in his honour, didn’t miss a shot and scored 17 points in the first half in Cleveland’s seventh straight victory. LeBron James had a seven low 11 points.
Unbeaten after 11 home games, Cleveland has won 15 of 16 since starting this season 1-2. Troy Murphy led Indiana with 15 points.
At Orlando, Florida, Dwight Howard’s 21 points and 23 rebounds and Jameer Nelson added 15 points as Southeast Division leading Orlando beat Oklahoma City. Russell Westbrook had 19 points for Oklahoma City, and Kevin Durant had 16 points and 10 rebounds.
At Atlanta, Marvin Williams scored 18 points, and Atlanta avoided overtime when New York’s Al Harrington missed a last second three pointer. Joe Johnson added 17 points for Atlanta, and Josh Smith had 16. Harrington led New York with 27 points.
At Houston, Yao Ming scored 19 of his season high 33 points in the fourth quarter and had 14 rebounds and five assists to Houston past Golden State. Ron Artest added 28 points. Stephen Jackson scored 26 points for Golden State. At Milwaukee, Michael Redd scored 25 points, and Richard Jefferson added 22, including two free throws with 9 seconds left, in Milwaukee’s win over Charlotte. Jason Richardson scored 20 points for Charlotte.
Results: Orlando 98 Oklahoma City 89, LA Lakers 106 Washington 104, Atlanta 98 NY Knicks 95, Cleveland 97 Indiana 73, New Jersey 113 Minnesota 84, Boston 93 Portland 78, Philadelphia 96 Detroit 91, Memphis 93 LA Clippers 81, Houston 131 Golden State 112, Milwaukee 101 Charlotte 96, Utah 114 Toronto 87
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