Jazz overcome Iverson's 46 to beat Sixers (AP) Updated: 2006-01-12 11:13 Bryant, who had 23 points at the half, dunked with 23.9 seconds left to
narrow it to 111-103, but the Lakers couldn't get any closer. He had scored at
least 45 points in his last four games, becoming the first player to score as
many since Wilt Chamberlain in November, 1964. Elgin Baylor also reached the
milestone in December, 1961.
Los Angeles Lakers
guard Kobe Bryant, right, chases down the ball after stealing it from
Portland Trail Blazers guard Juan Dixon during first quarter NBA
basketball action in Portland, Ore., Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2006.
[AP] | The only player with more than four
straight is Chamberlain, who had nine consecutive games with 45 or more points
in November, 1962.
Bryant now has 11 games this season with 40 or more points and 51 games for
his career. Among active players with 40-plus point games, Bryant trails only
Allen Iverson, who has 67.
Bryant has two games with 50 or more points this season, and seven in his
career.
"He is one of the best I've played against and coached against," said Blazers
coach Nate McMillan, who played for the Seattle SuperSonics. "What he's done
lately is unbelievable."
Ruben Patterson inadvertently bonked Bryant in the eye when he was going up
for a layup midway through the fourth quarter. Bryant collapsed on the court,
but was able to return to the game.
McMillan didn't start forward Zach Randolph, because the team's top scorer
was reportedly late for a shootaround. But Randolph was quickly inserted into
the game when center Theo Ratliff committed two fouls in the first 30 seconds.
Randolph finished with 17 points and 14 rebounds for the Blazers.
The Blazers took a 31-24 lead on Steve Blake's 3-pointer at the end of the
first quarter.
Bryant's 3-pointer put the Lakers ahead 38-37, but the lead was short lived
and Los Angeles didn't move out front again until Smush Parker's jumper made it
50-49.
Marbury leads Knicks over Mavericks in OT
NEW YORK - Stephon Marbury scored 28 points, Antonio Davis provided a spark
in overtime, and the New York Knicks blew an 18-point lead before beating the
Dallas Mavericks 117-115 Wednesday night for their fifth straight win.
Jamal Crawford added 25 points and Eddy Curry had 21 for the Knicks, who beat
one of the NBA's top teams for the second time in two nights and have won five
in a row for the first time since Jan. 30-Feb 8, 2004.
|