The Lakers are 3-0 against the Eastern Conference. Their overtime victory against the Toronto Raptors, the best team in the Eastern Conference, was a result of their ball movement, intensity, spacing and effort. They had 24 assists. They had 54 rebounds. 7 players scored in double figures.
Kobe Bryant had a triple double- 31 points, 11 rebounds and 12 assists. Wes Johnson had 13 points and a big three late in the fourth quarter. Carlos Boozer had 18 points and 9 rebounds. Jordan Hill had 16 points and 12 rebounds. Nick Young had 20 points. Wayne Ellington had 10 points.
Nov 30, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) grabs a rebound in the second half of the game against the Toronto Raptors at Staples Center. Lakers won 129-122 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
The Lakers defense is still terrible. The Raptors were the 4th team in a row to notch 30+ points in the third quarter. Kobe admitted to mental lapses. But the Lakers fought hard in the 4th to stay close and in overtime they came up with all the loose balls and key possessions.
“We were in a great rhythm. We shot the ball with confidence”, Kobe said. “When guys are a threat it opens up the floor for me in the 4th quarter.”
Kobe became the first player in NBA history to score 30,000+ points and have 6,000 assists. Only Reggie Theus and Clyde Drexler have more assists at the shooting guard position. “I didn’t even know about the record”, Kobe said. “I guess I passed more than they said I did.”