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

Kobe Bryant’s best game against the Portland Trail Blazers – Kobe shuts up Ruben Patterson in 2004

Going into the final game of the regular season in 2004 the Lakers needed a win to secure the number two seed in the conference, and if they lost they would have had the four seed.

With the game and that much on the line, Kobe hit two big 3-pointers, one to send the game into overtime and then another to win the game that was a fadeaway that looked impossible to make. Ironically both three-pointers were made in the eye of the supposed “Kobe Stopper” Ruben Patterson.

Kobe’s stat line ended up being 37 points, eight rebounds, five assists, one block, and one steal. However, this unforgettable performance will be remembered for those two big 3-pointers in crunch time.

The Lakers got the much-needed W and then they rode the No. 2 seed to the NBA Finals. Their seed ended up meaning a lot because they were able to avoid the Sacramento Kings and the Dallas Mavericks in the first round, and instead, they played the Rockets, who they took out in a gentleman’s sweep.