Lakers Lose 114-108 Against Phoenix, But Kobe Bryant is Clutch (video)

Watching Kobe Bryant is a series of firsts.  Laker fans are watching him start all over; his first three-pointer in two years, his first dunk in two years, and now, his first clutch moment in over two years.

Kobe Bryant got substituted into the 4th quarter against the Suns.  Jeremy Lin did a tremendous job earlier in the fourth quarter to spur on a Laker comeback, but he ultimately defaulted to Kobe Bryant in the final minutes.

[via Basketball Orbit, YouTube]

With all the talk about Kobe Bryant bringing down the Lakers and being overpaid for his contract, he gave us a reason to smile tonight.  Even he smiled going up against P.J. Tucker.

He hit three straight fadeaway jumpshots from the midrange to give the Lakers a lead late into the fourth quarter.

He finished the game on 10 of 20 shooting from the field; 27 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists with 5 turnovers.  No, this isn’t the explosive Kobe Bryant blowing past defenders and putting shotblockers on posters, but it is a Kobe Bryant that still has ice in his veins and can make shots in isolation.

The Lakers ultimately lost the game on a poor foul call on Jeremy Lin.  He fouled Isaiah Thomas on a 3-point attempt.  Jeremy Lin had fouled out of the game.

Wesley Johnson was fouled by the Phoenix Suns.  Though the Lakers had a two-point lead, he missed both free throws.

Gerald Green forced a three-point attempt that was well short, but the rebound bounced to Isaiah Thomas for a baseline 15′ jumpshot.

Swish.

The game went into overtime, where the Lakers lost 114 to 108.  Jordan Hill had one of his better scoring games with 14 points on 7 of 12 shooting from the field. Wesley Johnson added another 15 points on 6 of 10 from the field, but recorded 8 total turnovers by himself.

Overall, tonight’s game was a sign of progress defensively.  The Suns shot 41.3% from the field, while the Lakers shot 50%.  The Phoenix Suns absolutely struggled to score late in the 4th quarter scoring just 17 points, while Lin was playmaking and connecting to Ed Davis for a series of flushes.

The Lakers are getting better.