The Philadelphia 76ers’ historic and agonizing losing streak finally ended Tuesday as Kobe Bryant suffered more defeat with the Los Angeles Lakers in his first road match since announcing his plans to retire.
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Tuesday’s game also marked Russell’s first matchup with Jahlil Okafor, the player drafted after him last summer who was once thought to be a Lakers target. Arron Afflalo added 13 points and eight rebounds, and Carmelo Anthony returned after missing one game due to illness, scoring 12 points in the wire-to-wire win.
But die-hard Wizards fans may still have a vested interest in catching the game, if only to reminisce over what nearly happened in Bryant’s prime.
Ghana coach Avram Grant says his personal friend is Los Angeles Lakers Kobe Bean Bryant and wants his players to replicate his committed training methods which has made him a basketball legend. Washington center Marcin Gortat’s layup tied the game on the next possession, but Bryant put Los Angeles ahead with a long jumper, his fifth basket of the period.
The 17-time All-Star significantly cooled off, hitting just four of his next 22 attempts to finish with 20 points in 32 minutes. The game starts at 7 PM.
Robert Covington dropped 23 points and Nerlens Noel grabbed 9 rebounds for the 1-18 76ers. Their perimeter defense was trounced in this one, despite a lackluster backcourt lineup for the Sixers, as they allowed them to shoot 14-32 (43.8 percent) from long-range in this game.
“I didn’t hold up my end of the bargain”, James said of 2009, when the Cavs were upset by the Orlando Magic in the conference finals.
Bryant, a five-time National Basketball Association champion, turned on some vintage form for them as well.
“I’m pleased for the city”, Philadelphia coach Brett Brown said.
Bryant has been plagued by injuries that have resulted in only 41 appearances in the last three seasons.
Said Wizards guard John Wall, who had 34 points and 11 assists: “We knew it was going to be that type of atmosphere”.
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For almost two decades you transformed the game.
