NBA -- The Black Mamba strikes again, Lakers win 3 in a row
By Homer D. Sayson
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 25 Feb 2013
CHICAGO -- With his team in 9th place in the crowded Western Conference and 3 1/2 games behind the Houston Rockets for the 8th last playoffs berth, superstar Kobe Bryant remained unfazed last week and pretty much guaranteed that the Los Angeles Lakers will make the postseason.
Well, the 34-year old dynamo wasn't kidding.
Bryant, better known as the Black Mamba for his cold-blooded exploits, bit the Dallas Mavericks for 38 points as the visiting Lakers escaped with a 103-99 victory on Sunday afternoon at the American Airlines Arena in Dallas. The Lakers' captain sank 13 of 21 field goals, plucked 12 rebounds and dished seven assists in a performance befitting a 15-time All-Star and 5-time NBA champion.
The win improved the Lakers' mark to 28-29 and with Houston's 105-103 loss to the Washington Wizards on Saturday night, Los Angeles sliced the 31-27 Rockets' lead to 2 1/2 games with still 25 games left in the regular season calendar.
"It's just what I'm supposed to do. It's about time. I'm kind of going through a process of facilitating and things like that, but now it's time to put the whole thing together," Bryant told NBA.com.
Lakers head coach Mike D'Antoni couldn't agree more and told ESPN.com: "That's why he's Kobe Bryant. He's not John Smith. No disrespect to John Smith, whoever he is. That's what he does. That's what he loves. That's what he trains for."
Overshadowed by Kobe's brilliance was the superlative effort turned in by Mavericks star Dirk Nowitzki, who turned in 30 points and 13 rebounds on 11-for-19 shooting from the field.
But Kobe had far more support than what Dirk got.
Ex-Maverick Steve Nash buried four 3s to finish with 20 points while Antawn Jamison had 14 and Jodie Meeks added 13. Center Dwight Howard also had nine points and 13 rebounds for the Lakers, who will travel to Denver to face the Nuggets on Monday. (Homer Sayson)
Photo: Kobe Bryant may be down but his team is definitely not out of the playoffs berth as the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Dallas Mavericks -- 103-99 --yesterday at the American Airlines Arena in Dallas. Kobe finished with a game-high 38 points.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Homer D. Sayson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Fisher and Atencio Crowned Jax Mixed Doubles Open Champions
Sun, 21 Dec 2025Jake Paul Undergoes Surgery for Broken Jaw Following Knockout Loss to Anthony Joshua
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 21 Dec 2025Anthony Joshua Drops Jake Paul 4 Times En Route to a 6th Round Stoppage
By Dong Secuya, Sat, 20 Dec 2025Jean Henri Lhuillier Hails RP Blu Boys’ Golden Triumph at the SEA Games
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 20 Dec 2025ACCRA WEIGH-IN RESULTS: RICHARDS AND AZEEZ PREPARE FOR HISTORIC CLASH
Sat, 20 Dec 2025Two USA Boxing Junior National Champions Invited to Attend Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua Bout Friday in Miami
Sat, 20 Dec 2025Ramon Cardenas Scores One Punch Knockout Over Erik Robles in Main Event of ProBoxTV’s The Contender Series
Fri, 19 Dec 2025Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua: The Jig Is Up
By Chris Carlson, Fri, 19 Dec 2025January 31: Rohan Polanco-Christian Gomez Confirmed as Co-Feature to Xander Zayas-Abass Baraou Title Unification Showdown at Coliseo de Puerto Rico in San Juan
Fri, 19 Dec 2025Jake Paul, Anthony Joshua Tip the Scales Ahead of Netflix Heavyweight Spectacle in Miami
By Dong Secuya, Fri, 19 Dec 2025Suelo rules Thailand chess tourney
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 19 Dec 2025RICHARDS AND AZEEZ SET FOR HISTORIC SHOWDOWN AS SOUTH LONDON LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS FACE-OFF AT PRESS CONFERENCE IN GHANA
Fri, 19 Dec 2025Brooklyn’s undefeated Pryce Taylor Called one of top heavyweight prospects in U.S.
Fri, 19 Dec 2025INDIGO FIGHT NIGHT RESULTS AS GIORGIO VISOLI OVERCOMES TOUGH JOE HOWARTH – AND TIAH-MAI AYTON WINS AGAIN
Thu, 18 Dec 2025Weights From ProBoxTV’s ‘Merry Fistmas’ at War Memorial Auditorium in Fort Lauderdale, Tomorrow Night at 7 pm ET
Thu, 18 Dec 2025