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Kobe
is Jordanesque as
Lakers Send the
Rockets Packing
Sat, May 15, 1999
HOUSTON (SCN Saturday,
May 15, 1999) – NBC
reporter Ahmad Rashad
admitted during the first quarter of the Los Angeles Lakers’
98-88 victory over the Houston Rockets, that while he was
talking to Laker phenom Kobe Bryant before the game,
Bryant seemed to eerily remind him of oneMichael Jordan.
Well on Saturday, the resemblance was uncanny, as the
heir apparent to the throne did a remarkable impression,
racking up 24 points, eight assists, six rebounds, three
steals and two blocks. The superb all-around performance
was just what the Lakers needed, allowing them to
eliminate the Rockets three games to one and move on to
face the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference
semi-finals.
Bryant tore up the nets in the first quarter, single-handedly
taking on Houston with 13 points and helping the Lakers
fly out to a 25-21 lead after the opening 12 minutes. The
20-year old swingman was unstoppable, slashing to the
hole for easy baskets and drilling jumpers from everywhere
except half court.
Bryant cooled in the second quarter, scoring just four
points, but Los Angeles still managed to increase the lead
to 49-38, thanks to the duo of Shaquille O’Neal and Derek
Harper, who dropped in seven points apiece.
Shaq was once again the man for the Lakers, leading the
team with 37 points, while Harper filled the void left by an
injured Glen Rice nicely, finishing with 13.
Houston made their usual surge in the third quarter, cutting
the lead to as little as three at 58-55. Kobe answered
back, however, hitting a jumper and O’Neal added six
points, helping the boys in purple and gold rebuild the lead
to 71-64 after three.
Los Angeles put the game away in the fourth, breaking off
a 9-0 run to start the fourth quarter for a 80-64 advantage
with just over eight minutes left in the game. The teams
basically traded baskets down the stretch, with the Diesel
mailing in nine points and Bryant putting in five.
The Lakers will begin their best of seven game series with
the San Antonio Spurs on Monday night at the
Alamodome. |
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