Lakers edge past Warriors 106-105
(AP)
Updated: 2006-01-28 15:13

LOS ANGELES - Kobe Bryant followed up his 81-point performance with a mere 30, turning it on when the Lakers needed him most. Bryant scored 25 in the final quarter and overtime Friday night to lead the Los Angeles to a 106-105 victory over the Golden State Warriors.

Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant goes to the basket past Golden State Warriors' Adonal Foyle during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 27, 2006, in Los Angeles. [AP]

 

A far cry from Bryant's remarkable performance against Toronto last Sunday, his scoring was timely enough to help the Lakers win for the eighth time in 11 games.

Bryant had only five points on 2-of-12 shooting through the first three quarters, and the Lakers fell behind the struggling Warriors 73-66. Then he began asserting himself.

He scored 16 points in the fourth, making nine of 11 free throws. He made a pair of free throws with 7.1 seconds left in regulation to tie it at 94 and force overtime.

Bryant then scored nine points in the overtime, including an off-balance 3-pointer with 2:12 left that gave Los Angeles a 99-94 lead. He was good on four free throws in the final 6.7 seconds for a 106-102 lead before Golden State's Mickael Pietrus hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer.

Bryant took only seven shots in the first half, making two and scored five points. He missed both shots he took in the second quarter and was 0-for-5 in the third.