Los Angeles Lakers: Kobe Bryant’s best game against every team in NBA

Kobe Bryant’s best game against the Indiana Pacers – Game 4 of the 2000 finals

Game 4 of the 2000 Finals was Kobe Bryant’s coronation as one of the best basketball players in the NBA. With Shaq fouling out of the game, and the Pacers threatening to tie the series at two games apiece, Kobe took control of the game and calmly lead the Lakers to a three to one series advantage.

This victory pretty much sealed the series for Kobe and Shaq’s first NBA championship. Kobe had 28 points, 5 assists, and 4 rebounds to go along with Shaq’s 36 points and 21 rebounds and they barely snuck past the Pacers on the road.

The win in Game 4 set up the Lakers to win the Finals on their home floor in Game 6 and taking home their first championship since the ’80s and the first of three titles in a row. At the age of 21 and only in his fourth season, Kobe grew up right before the world’s eyes in this game and became the superstar that many predicted he would develop into, ahead of schedule.

Kobe did have a game where he scored 45 against the Pacers in his career, and he only put up 28 points in this one. However, since this performance was on such a big stage early in his career, without Shaq, it should be considered his best game against them.