USA - Kobe points barrage continues as Lakers edge Grizzlies

NEW YORK (NBA) - Watching the Los Angeles Lakers of late has been like watching moments of divine intervention with Kobe Bryant scoring points by the truckload.

That’s how LA team-mate Lamar Odom felt after Bryant’s 60-point effort in a 121-119 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Thursday.

“We've seen him get 81 before, so it's not surprising,” Odom said. “(But) It's a blessing to be on the court when he's feeling like that, being a part of history."

Bryant, the man Team USA are hoping to have in the side this summer for the FIBA Americas Championship in Las Vegas, enjoyed his third consecutive game of at least 50 points.

The 6ft 7in superstar connected on 20 of 37 shots - he was three of seven from three-point range - and made 17 of 18 free throws to post his 17th career 50-point performance, tying Hall of Famer Elgin Baylor for most all-time in franchise history.

He also became the first Laker to register three straight contests with at least 50 points since Baylor did so during the 1962-63 campaign.

Basketball legends Wilt Chamberlain and Michael Jordan are the only other players in NBA history to accomplish the feat.

"It's special,” Bryant said. “Growing up, I idolized all of them, from Wilt to MJ to Elgin and everybody else.

"It's a tremendous honor for me to be in that same class with those guys in terms of being in the history books. I don't know what else to say except it's truly a tremendous honor."

In two wins at the Staples Center this past weekend, Bryant netted 65 points against the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday, then buried the Minnesota Timberwolves for 50 one day later.

"I just feel like guys are finding me," Bryant said. "It's not like I'm taking difficult shots outside of a couple, but I'm already in rhythm when I take those. To get in rhythm, I need to get great looks, great picks and great passes. You can't do that without the help of your team-mates."

A nine-time All-Star, Bryant also added his name to the league record books, tying Jordan for second all-time for the most 60-point games with four.

"(Kobe's) in a league all to himself," Laker coach Phil Jackson said. "If he smells blood in the water, he's going to go after you. That's what you admire in Kobe, that he's going to attack and be in that mode and continue to go at a team until you take him out of the ball game."

This rivals Bryant's most impressive display of scoring since he poured in at least 40 points over a nine-game stretch during 2002-03 season.

Bryant looks to continue his streak on Friday, when the Lakers visit the New Orleans Hornets. The defending scoring champ is averaging 23.1 points per game for his career in the series.
Yao dominates for Rockets

China center Yao Ming poured in 27 points and blocked a shot with 21 seconds left to lead the Houston Rockets to their fifth straight victory, a 91-85 success over the Eastern Conference-leading Detroit Pistons.

Yao, who has come back from a lengthy injury absence, shot 10 of 19 from the floor and added seven rebounds.

"I watched a lot of (tape of the Pistons)," Yao said. "...When they don't come and double-team, I'm going to score. The fourth quarter is like the play-offs. (Detroit's) one of the best teams in the league.”

As for his fitness, Yao said: “Today I feel much better (conditioning-wise). I can run much longer. It will take a few more games (for me to be 100%), then we'll see."

Stoudemire leads Suns past Kings

With Ron Artest out of the lineup, Amare Stoudemire took advantage of the Sacramento Kings.

The Team USA star had 33 points and 21 rebounds and Steve Nash added 17 points and 16 assists as the Phoenix Suns coasted to a 118-100 victory over the undermanned Kings.

Thomas tip-in dooms Denver

Tyrus Thomas tipped in the game-winner with two-tenths of a second remaining as the Chicago Bulls posted an exhilarating 109-108 triumph over the Denver Nuggets, who had a season-high five-game winning streak stopped.

Ben Gordon scored 25 points and Luol Deng chipped in 22 and a season high-tying 14 rebounds for Chicago, who avenged their 113-109 loss to Denver on November 21 at the Pepsi Center.

"It wasn't pretty," said Chicago’s Team USA guard Kirk Hinrich, who had 21 points and eight assists. "We did not shoot a high percentage, we just got it done when we needed to. We will take this game and we needed this win."

Roy, Magloire pace Blazers

Brandon Roy scored 24 points and Jamaal Magloire added 14 and 16 rebounds as the undermanned Portland Trail Blazers executed down the stretch en route to a 92-86 victory over the New York Knicks.

Jarrett Jack scored 15 points for the Trail Blazers, who played without their leading scorer and rebounder, forward Zach Randolph, who missed his second straight game on bereavement leave.

"We're missing our 23 and 10 guy, but at the same time we feel we got some other players that we feel can step up and try to hold things down until he gets back," Roy said.

“It is going to be hard to play 82 (games) without him, but for these four or five games that we play without him, we're going to try and make sure we step up."

Jeff Taylor
FIBA