Thu, May 20, 1999
SAN ANTONIO
(Wednesday, May 19,
1999) - Kobe Bryant went
from hero to goat in a matter of minutes Wednesday night,
as the Lakers squandered a golden opportunity and lost to
the San Antonio Spurs, 79-76, in Game 2 of the second
round Western Conference playoff series.

Bryant beat the shot clock with a desperation three-pointer
and gave the Lakers a 76-75 lead with :34 to go in the
game. After Mario Elie missed a three-point attempt of his
own, Bryant was fouled near midcourt and went to the foul
line with a chance to increase LA's lead to three points
with :18 to go.

Bryant, who was 23-of-25 from the charity stripe up to that
point in the playoffs, bricked both of them.

"Yeah, funny stuff happens," Bryant said. "I think the last
time that happened I was in the eighth grade."

San Antonio set up a play for Tim Duncan, who abused JR
Reid on the baseline and gave the Spurs a 77-76 lead with
:08 to go.

The Lakers called timeout and set up a final play, but
Derek Fisher fumbled the inbounds pass and committed
LA's 18th and final turnover of the game. Two Sean Elliott
free throws made it a three-point game with :05 left in the
game, and Bryant's final desperation three was off line.

"I just missed 'em," Bryant said of his two missed free
throws. "I felt strong. I shot 'em too hard."

The win gave San Antonio a 2-0 lead in the best-of-7
series, which shifts to Los Angeles for Games 3 and 4.

Bryant finished with a playoff career-high 28 points, and
basically kept the Lakers in the game while Shaquille
O'Neal battled early foul trouble. O'Neal finished with 16
points, and Glen Rice added 16.

Bryant, who played 47 of 48 minutes, also had 8 rebounds
and 4 assists. He tallied 5 of LA's 18 turnovers.

Game 3 is Saturday at the Great Western Forum.