The Los Angeles Lakers appear to have turned the corner in the preseason after getting blown out by the Golden State Warriors twice and Utah Jazz in consecutive games. Los Angeles was able to bounce back against the Jazz last Sunday and put up a solid performance against the visiting Phoenix Suns on Tuesday night.
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One of the main reasons for the Lakers being able to stay toe-to-toe with the Suns at the Honda Center on Tuesday was the play of Kobe Bryant. The five-time NBA champion kicked it into high gear in the fourth quarter hitting three clutch shots in succession.
If it weren’t for a game-tying shot by Isaiah Thomas at the buzzer, Kobe’s eight straight points, two from the free-throw line, would’ve been the difference-maker for Los Angeles.
Although the Lakers ultimately lost in overtime, Kobe’s late-game heroics weren’t forgotten. Jordan Hill was asked about Kobe’s performance and said the following in the locker room after the game:
“He’s still doing what he does best and that’s putting the ball in the basket. Hyping the crowd up.”
Kobe finished with a game-high 27 points on 10-of-20 shooting from the floor. Although Kobe has struggled with his shooting over the first six games of the preseason, the five-time NBA champion has still put up the offensive numbers, averaging 26.7 points per game in the last three contests.
Only two more preseason games remain for the Lakers with the team traveling to Ontario, California on Wednesday night to face the Portland Trail Blazers. On Friday, the team will play the final game of the preseason against the Sacramento Kings in Las Vegas.
[divide]Lakers’ Kobe Bryant Comments On ESPN Article