Scoring slowed down for the Lakers as the Clippers built momentum, the Clippers closed out the first quarter with a 29-25 lead. Bryant has struggled recently, posting averages of just 12.8 points, 2.2 rebounds, 0.8 assists and 1.4 rebounds over his last four games.
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A night earlier, the Clippers beat the Lakers 103-81. The Clippers capitalized off of this several times, players would quickly pass the ball to a player that was open, and they would score. The feud between Bryant and Kobe and Shaquille O’Neal reached a threshold point, and it was widely believed that Bryant wouldn’t have returned to the Lakers, had the franchise retained Shaq for another year. On the bright side, Randle grabbed a career-high 20 rebounds, so the Lakers had that going for them. Rookie point guard D’Angelo Russell has also resembled a brick layer as he is just 21-of-74 from the field over the past five outings.
The Lakers (16-61) tied their franchise mark for most losses in a season, set during last year’s campaign. In a trip to Detroit last February, Bryant said he personally axed the deal, denying he was willing to waive his no-trade clause for the Pistons.
Although Bryant is retiring as part of the worst team in Lakers history, he will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the greatest champions in National Basketball Association history. They play the Los Angeles Lakers twice and then the Memphis Grizzlies, Dallas Mavericks and Utah Jazz all once.
“I thought that we showed a little fight tonight, especially in the second half”, said Lakers head coach Byron Scott.
“According to one account from a person briefed on the timeline, Dumars was at a preseason game against the Mavericks when he got a call from Kupchak, who spoke the following words: ‘We’re good to go, ‘” the article reads.
In the fourth quarter, Bryant returned for a three-minute cameo appearance when the crowd started chanting his name.
It was a positive sign for the Clippers to see Griffin put together a strong night in just his third game back.
“It bothers me that his last five, six, seven, eight games are going to be with the way we’re playing as a team”, Scott told reporters in Los Angeles.
The Lakers barely missed recording a season low for assists, finishing with 12 compared to 23 for the Clippers. At left, is forward Metta World Peace. He committed four turnovers.
Scott continued: “It’s been a long, attractive journey, and like I said, when it’s all said and done, my main objective this season was to get him to be able to walk off that basketball court on April 13, and we’re getting close to that, and I think we both realize that”.
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“If you want to be a victor in this league, you have to fight adversity”, Scott said.
