One more defeat for the 76ers yesterday ― 0-18 heading into the match ― would have given them sole possession of the unwanted record for the worst start to a season in National Basketball Association history.
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In his last professional game in D.C., Bryant turned in a season-high 31 points on 10-of-24 shooting, nailing the Lakers’ final two field goals of the game to send them to a 108-104 victory for their third of the season. Jerami Grant had 14 points, Jahlil Okafor and Isaiah Canaan added 12 points apiece and off the bench, Nerlens Noel had 14 points and 9 rebounds.
Kobe seemed to feed off of this energy once the game started, which was evident when he shot the first four shots for the Los Angeles Lakers, all of which were 3-pointers, hitting three of them, and also hit another 2-pointer to score the first 11 points for the Lakers. Yes, Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant’s retirement tour landed in his hometown of Philadelphia…but unless you were REALLY paying attention, you probably missed the bigger story.
“We’re lucky it was a four-point game”, coach Randy Wittman said. He finished with 20 points.
Against the Lakers, though, the Sixers erased an eight-point halftime deficit with hot shooting.
“I read everything, I hear everything that people say, because I like it”, Wall said.
From that moment, though, the Sixers stepped on the throttle and pushed their lead to 14 points with 7:20 to go in the game.
“You can’t script this stuff; I can’t, ” Bryant said after the game and called it the greatest moment he had ever experienced in that building. Bryant is playing his first road game since announcing he’ll retire after this seas…
Kobe Bryant played in Philadelphia for the very last time, and Allen Iverson had nothing but praise.
Jordan Clarkson scored 12 of his 19 points in this frame, but the remaining Lakers shot just 2-of-22, allowing Philadelphia to take an 80-75 lead. After getting thoroughly embarrassed by the 0-18 76ers last night, the Lakers bounced back, and forced the Wizards into an incredibly sloppy game. Despite strong play against the Celtics, Timberwolves and Heat, Philadelphia couldn’t polish off the first victory of a discouraging season. Lakers G Lou Williams returned after missing the two previous games following the death of his grandfather.
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John Wall led the way with 35 points, 10 assists and four rebounds as the Wizards improved to 7-8, easing pressure on beleaguered coach Randy Wittman.
