The Hawks are certainly not looking like contenders at this point in the season and they are desperate to snap the streakiness playing the Lakers on Friday night.
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Lakers: “It seems like every day our world is getting crazier, for whatever reason”. He was cheered loudly throughout. For the Hawks, Jeff Teague, Al Horford and Paul Millsap combined to score 44 points, which fit the game plan and the pregame notes. Bryant then tapped his heart and waved to the sell-out crowd of 19,051 fans, most of whom wore his Lakers’ No. 24 jersey.
There were plenty of empty seats at Philips Arena and only a tepid Bryant following.
LAKERS GUARD D’ANGELO RUSSELL ON HIS CAREER-HIGH SEVEN TURNOVERS: “It was the ball’s fault, man, I didn’t have nothing to do with that”. The future Hall of Famer was given a standing ovation during a lengthy tribute following the first quarter. At the same time, Bryant gave opponents and their fans the dreaded feeling that they were in line to join his list of victims. [But when it comes to my career] I’m most proud that I was able to stick with it. There are a lot tough times and self doubt and criticism and moments where you feel discouraged. Another loud ovation followed.
During the game, there were a few moments of brilliance where Bryant shot back-to-back three-pointers and his Jordanesque fade away jump shot.
The Pelicans survived in overtime after the Cavaliers rallied from an 11-point deficit in the fourth quarter. He only hit four shots out of 19 and finished with 14 points.
However, the Lakers entirely fell apart at this point.
Carmelo Anthony paced the Knicks with 28 points and rookie Kristaps Porzingis posted his 10th double-double this season with 19 points and 10 rebounds.
“It shows our resilience to be in the same position as the other night and this time finish it out”, said forward Kent Bazemore, who had 15 points off the bench.
WASHINGTON – Bradley Beal scored a season-high 34 points and Washington fought back in the second half to beat Phoenix. The Lakers were also aided by 17 Atlanta turnovers with 10 of those coming in the third quarter. “Ko-be!” The Lakers outscored the Hawks 30-20 in the period on the strength of 6-of-8 shooting from 3-point range. In what was a tight final game against Spain, Bryant came up huge in the fourth quarter, scoring 13 of his 20 points to lead Team USA to a 118-107 victory and secure the gold.
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John Wall had 17 points and nine assists for the Wizards, who had lost five of their previous six games. Even after Wednesday, he was still last of 115 qualifying players in field goal percentage (31.1) and last of 101 in 3-point percentage (22.2).
