Kobe Bryant’s 52-Point Burst Lifts Lakers Over Mavericks in OT
kobe-bryant-52-points-lakers-mavericks-overtime-2008
LOS ANGELES — On March 2, 2008, Kobe Bryant scored 52 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to propel the Los Angeles Lakers to a 108-104 overtime victory against the Dallas Mavericks at Staples Center.
Bryant poured in 30 of his points during the fourth quarter and the extra period, erasing Dallas’ late surge and securing the win despite the Lakers shooting just 37.9 percent from the field. He finished 15-of-27 overall and 20-of-27 from the free-throw line.
Pau Gasol, still in his first month with Los Angeles, contributed 17 points, 14 rebounds, five assists, three steals and two blocks. Luke Walton was the only Laker besides Bryant to shoot at least 50 percent.
Dallas forced overtime when Dirk Nowitzki drained a game-tying three-pointer with two seconds left in regulation. Nowitzki closed with 30 points and 13 rebounds. The Mavericks also received 16 points and 17 rebounds from Erick Dampier and 15 points, 11 assists and four steals from Jason Kidd, but the trio could not offset Bryant’s late offensive surge.
The performance continued a pattern of standout efforts by Bryant against Dallas, including his 62-point, three-quarter game in 2005 and several other high-profile finishes earlier in his career.
The victory improved Los Angeles to 43-18 on the season, while Dallas fell to 39-22.
Source: Lakers Nation
