May 13th, 2001 vs Sacramento Kings
The 2001 playoff run by the Los Angeles Lakers will go down as one of the best-of all-time. They finished the run by winning their second championship in a row with a postseason record of 15-1. Only the 2017 Golden State Warriors are in the same conversation with them as they went 16-1 this past season.
After sweeping the Portland Trail Blazers in the first round, the Lakers prepared to square-off against Chris Webber, Peja Stojakovic, Doug Christie and those tough Sacramento Kings.
After winning the first three games in the series, Kobe Bryant had one of his best post season games of all time in Game 4 of the Western Conference semi-finals in 2001.
Kobe led the Lakers to a Game 4 win, 119-113, and cruised into the western finals. In front of a raucous Kings crowd, Kobe finished the night with 48 points, and a playoff career best, 16 rebounds.
His mid-range jumper was on all night long and he was getting to the basket with ease. He put the Kings away for good with his 15 points in the 4th quarter. Overall, he shot 15-of-29 from the floor and converted 17-of-19 free throws, which proved to be just enough for this victory.