The Day Prime Kobe Faced MVP LeBron

Got to keep him off the foul line.

The officiating crew, David Jones with Mark Wendelick, and Derek Collins. The Lakers 20 and3 here at

Collins. The Lakers 20 and3 here at Staples. The three home losses to

Staples. The three home losses to Detroit, New Orleans, and Orlando. One

point they won 15 in a row here at home.

And their last game this past Friday night here in LA, they lost to the Magic. He missed eight of his last nine

Magic. He missed eight of his last nine shot attempts. Well, it's going to be um

shot attempts. Well, it's going to be um interesting the tempo of this game. Phil

Jackson wants to get Cleveland in the half court. If you allow LeBron to get

half court. If you allow LeBron to get in that open court, he is a nightmare.

So, they like to get in the half court.

Kobe opening up on LeBron trying to set the screen. Nice

pass too strong. He was looking for contact. The save but lost it.

contact. The save but lost it.

We are just underway here in LA.

His hand.

Oh, Williams ripping out. Kobe Bryant

standing off to the near side. Mlovich

for three.

Rebounded by Wallace. Why didn't

somebody take a foul here so Kobe can get off the floor? They go four on five.

And I mean, they should have taken a foul and gotten him off the floor. Now

they're going to have to use a 20 second timeout. Use the foul, get him off the

timeout. Use the foul, get him off the floor and save your 20 second timeout.

Athletic trainer Gary Vidy over to check out Kobe Bryant. Well, you don't like to jump at anything, but normally something like that, you worry about a dislocation. You know, norm the way Kobe

dislocation. You know, norm the way Kobe was holding that hand.

Bryant putting the move on Pavlovich.

Rebounded by Farah.

Here's James slammed away by Bryant. And last

touch by James. That's where LeBron is a nightmare. Game against the the Hornets

nightmare. Game against the the Hornets where he started for the injured Dante West and hit seven of 10 19 points. Oh,

nice pass back and that that will be the difference. Ronovich for

difference. Ronovich for three. Vladimir coming off a strong game

three. Vladimir coming off a strong game the other night in the loss to the Magic. A lot of dribbling here by LeBron

Magic. A lot of dribbling here by LeBron James. Fires and hits from downtown.

James. Fires and hits from downtown.

See, after Kobe got his first foul, they've moved Raanovich over and uh you can see LeBron's eyes light up right now, feeling like he can take him at any time. And they have 24 of their 31 wins

time. And they have 24 of their 31 wins by 10 or more points. And they're

winning games by a 12point. Yes, LeBron James on a on a

12point. Yes, LeBron James on a on a turnaround. Marvy was going left and

turnaround. Marvy was going left and pureed and did a 360 or 180 back the other way to knock that shot down. Four

of four from downtown.

He's two of three from beyond that three-point line here tonight. Bryant.

Yes, for the foul. The foul on Pavle. I

think you got to come get Kobe that time. Hixon was at the top of the floor.

time. Hixon was at the top of the floor.

It looked like he was going to double team. He faked it. Kobe and then got

team. He faked it. Kobe and then got back. I think in that situation, you've

back. I think in that situation, you've got to go down there and get that ball out of his hand. Wednesday night, the Lakers will be here at Staples and they will play the Clippers and it's a home game. They're going to owe the road some

game. They're going to owe the road some games.

Sasha Bouachic, Lamar Odum, Trevor Arza have all checked in for the Lakers. Odum

coming off his best game of the season.

Here's James off bound and he bankked it home for the Lakers. None for Cleveland.

We have to keep our eye on that statistic. LeBron puts a move on Kobe

statistic. LeBron puts a move on Kobe and it's the rookie and rebounded by James. They want him to be more

James. They want him to be more offensive lineed. Phil Jackson and we're

offensive lineed. Phil Jackson and we're force feeding him now. make him bor even more offensive by him, but I think they'd like to see him shoot more points or shots in the paint as this ball is

stolen by Booya. Booyah. Elite rejected

from behind by James Byic for three. Good hustle by Arza. Kept it

three. Good hustle by Arza. Kept it

alive and Bryant pulls it back against James.

[Applause] over right straight points to get right back in this game.

[Applause] 3se second differential between the game clock and the shot clock trying to look away. Final

away. Final seconds. Yes, another three.

seconds. Yes, another three.

Right gets inside. Bam. Got a piece of it. Hustle down by Vera Kick. He's been

it. Hustle down by Vera Kick. He's been

on fire. He's hit three from downtown. A

nice pass from Bill and seven. They've

won 11 of the last 14. It's the best start in the history of the franchise. James now played by Arza.

franchise. James now played by Arza.

Nice ball movement. Seriaak from

downtown season high. His numbers have been down.

Serviaak on the spin. Oh, what a move by Wally Serbia. St. married Ohio. They

Wally Serbia. St. married Ohio. They

actually had a big game in New Jersey at the prime time shootout. Arisa's uncle

said, "I don't know why this LeBron James gets all it publicity. My nephew

Treza is better than he is." LeBron took it to heart and put 52 on him.

Barb, now there's an anecdote we have not heard. It's Oden was able to hit

not heard. It's Oden was able to hit Barb. That's all. Gray going very deep

Barb. That's all. Gray going very deep into his notes for that one.

Here is James. Yes, Marv. The game is so easy for him and his fundamentals, his attention to detail have gotten so much better through the last four or five

years.

Saw right back.

Bryant met by James. Nice pass. Odum

lays it home. Lakers play it out. Final seconds

home. Lakers play it out. Final seconds

down by three.

Here's Bryant over James with one/10enth of a second left. So

that's the end of the first half.

Well, LeBron Kobe told us before the game, I want to guard LeBron. I want to accept this challenge. How do you approach the challenge tonight going against Kobe? Well, two of the ultimate

against Kobe? Well, two of the ultimate competitors want to guard each other. We

know if we can contain each other, it's a possible chance that who's ever contained the most can win the game. So,

we both taking the challenge. Very good

defender, very good team. How much help are the Lakers giving Kobe? And have you had a couple of turnovers there at the end of the first quarter that kind of hurt you? Uh careless. Careless on my

hurt you? Uh careless. Careless on my part. I try to make up for him and not

part. I try to make up for him and not be as much as careless as I was at the end of the first, but uh it's a lot of help out there for him. All right.

Thanks a lot. Right now, LeBron and Cleveland with a one-point lead. We told

you they dislocated the ring finger.

Athletic trainer Gary Vidy retaped it at halftime. Kobe said it is swollen and

halftime. Kobe said it is swollen and very painful. really coming out to be

very painful. really coming out to be offensive minded taking the first two [Applause] shots. Fischer around Williams. Nice

shots. Fischer around Williams. Nice move. Have some help and nobody there to

move. Have some help and nobody there to protect him. See Derek

protect him. See Derek upset. Rob comes right back to Gaul.

upset. Rob comes right back to Gaul.

Here's what for [Applause] Lakers up 56- 54. Bryant went behind the back.

and scores. Kobe really grimacing the last couple possessions with that hand.

You can tell that's very sore. And you

know, Marv, it is a dislocation. It was

popped back. You hope there's no fracture or anything. That's when you have a problem. Tonight, best record in the NBA, best start in the history of

the franchise. And the Lakers 31-8, best

the franchise. And the Lakers 31-8, best record in the Western Conference, and one of the best starts in the history of the franchise. here at

the basket after the setup. Shot clock

to two.

Pavlovich reaching for the rebound.

Lakers defense this third quarter is excellent.

Wallace jumps out to help on Bryant.

Here's Kobe.

Yes. Are halfway through the third quarter. Marv Albert, Doug Collins,

quarter. Marv Albert, Doug Collins, Craig Sager. James off the mark on that

Craig Sager. James off the mark on that three-point attempt, but it's kept alive by [Applause] Barau. Nice pass from James. Havlovich

Barau. Nice pass from James. Havlovich

with the bucket. Havich last

season with that contract hold out and injuries which set him back. Never

really got into it. The

solar shots. He called it his crab dribble, but the referees had no part of that that time. It's a walk.

[Music] [Applause] Good job defensively by Varot did not go to the series of faith. Six.

[Music] [Applause] Serviaak with room. Rebounded by

Odum. Bronn with a [Music] beautiful. They actually had Sasha Buy

beautiful. They actually had Sasha Buy wide open in the corner there. I don't

think Kobe saw it. Here come the Lakers.

They have shot 10 of 15 from the field in this third quarter. There we go.

Jumping out of Bryant. And here is Kobe going all the way. Bryant is back on James. And here's LeBron getting inside

James. And here's LeBron getting inside for the stuff.

That was his first two points in the paint tonight.

Pyic for three. Oh, and he comes off Hob there, Mark. Get a good possession.

there, Mark. Get a good possession.

You're up 11.

Nice look by James and Farah late at the start of the game. Lakers shot 12 of 19 from the

game. Lakers shot 12 of 19 from the field in the third quarter. Here is

Bryant quick and he's picked up the shooting assist.

Ride got picked off by Hixon. Here is

James. That's a two. He got a foot on the line. Fourth quarter. Very close

the line. Fourth quarter. Very close

game and he broke that game open. Kobe

in that same game was one of seven in the fourth quarter. Kobe does not forget. Trust me.

forget. Trust me.

Shot clock to two. Here's Pearl.

Yes, closer. Now, you can't play better defense than that. That's just brilliant offense. I mean, a fading jump shot that

offense. I mean, a fading jump shot that brought snow in LA.

Nice ball movement. Serviaak for three.

And Bham able to get to it. Now Bayham

got the memo about rebounding. He had

one defensive rebound the other night against Orlando. Dwight

against Orlando. Dwight Howard. Yes. And the foul.

Howard. Yes. And the foul.

[Music] The Lakers by 14. Bryant looking to add to it.

Cannot. Back comes James. It's a threeon two. Aza forced the

two. Aza forced the turnover. Arza from

turnover. Arza from Bryant. And that is assist number 10 for

Bryant. And that is assist number 10 for Kobe Bryant. Bryant and Buyic in the

Kobe Bryant. Bryant and Buyic in the back court. 16 offensive rebounds now

back court. 16 offensive rebounds now for Cleveland. Oh, nice play by James.

for Cleveland. Oh, nice play by James.

Took it right out of the hands off the dribble. Took it away from James and

dribble. Took it away from James and LeBron got slapped by a reason for the fast [Applause] [Music]

break. LeBron getting beaten up here

break. LeBron getting beaten up here tonight. Yes, he is. Arza that time. Rez

tonight. Yes, he is. Arza that time. Rez

move again. Probably got away with a foul.

Fast break points now 13-1 for the Los Angeles Lakers. An 111

run to jump in front by 18 points.

Here's James. Oh, beautifully done on a scoop.

9175 coming into tonight. Orlando 33

and8 and the Lakers 31 and8. But

Williams for three with lots of time remaining.

Coming up on three and a half to play.

Here comes James. Try to bank it and then gets the tip. And Phil Jackson needs a timeout. It's a sevenpoint Laker lead.

timeout. It's a sevenpoint Laker lead.

An 110 run the last 2 minutes and 40 seconds. Bryant Fischer, Gasaw, Odum,

seconds. Bryant Fischer, Gasaw, Odum, and Arza on the [Applause] floor. Fiser.

floor. Fiser.

That's a clutch shot. They have won 20 of their 23 games here at home. They

double up on Bryant Gaul. Beautifully

done. That's a beautiful job that time.

Kobe baited him into the trap. What a

night for Kyle Gaul. 10 of 12 from the field, 20 points. And that was rebound number 12. And 17 offensive rebounds for

number 12. And 17 offensive rebounds for the Lakers.

Arza for three. You see him get better.

three. You see him get better.

[Music] [Applause] Arza with another three. 18point

three. 18point lead. 10 points for Arza. All here in

lead. 10 points for Arza. All here in the fourth quarter. James not able to hit. Farah is on

hit. Farah is on [Applause] it. And here's LeBron with the left hand

it. And here's LeBron with the left hand and it's put down. That will count at the bell. LeBron James finishes with 23

the bell. LeBron James finishes with 23 points, nine rebounds, four assists, shot only nine of 25 from the field. And

again, a high turnover game. How his

eighth NBA game. They called him the Chinese magic. Got the shot off. Was not able to

magic. Got the shot off. Was not able to hit. And that will do

hit. And that will do it. Kobe Bryant playing through that

it. Kobe Bryant playing through that dislocated ring finger. Ends up nine for 22. 20 points, 12 rebounds. Cal, the

22. 20 points, 12 rebounds. Cal, the

high man with 22 and 12 rebounds. And

LeBron James, as I mentioned, with 23 points, but only 9 for 25 from the field. It's a 17-point win, but obviously it wasn't as easy as that

score may indicate, particularly at the beginning. You jammed the finger, had it

beginning. You jammed the finger, had it dislocated. How tough was it to play

dislocated. How tough was it to play through it? Man, that might have been

through it? Man, that might have been the worst pain I ever played with. It

was really painful, man. And um you know, I'm glad we got through this one.

Well, twice you've been told to have surgery on that hand. You both times said no. Now they're saying possible

said no. Now they're saying possible x-rays. How concerned are you there

x-rays. How concerned are you there could be a major injury? No, I'm not concerned. I played the second half with

concerned. I played the second half with it. I'll play the rest of the season

it. I'll play the rest of the season with it. It's just painful. So, you

with it. It's just painful. So, you

know, my shots going to struggle a little bit until I get used to it. This

is the first time in NBA history you've had four teams with 30 wins with less than 10 losses. Two of the teams met here tonight. How big a game was it for

here tonight. How big a game was it for you and how do you get maybe pumped up to play against LeBron? Well, I mean it was a big game for us from the standpoint of we wanted to match their physicality. You know, they're a

physicality. You know, they're a physical team and uh you know they play hard and play tough and uh you know obviously that was one of our weaknesses coming into the season. That's something

we need to work on. So you know from that standpoint was a good test for us.

Focus 22 points tonight. Andrew Bam,

five tough fouls. How much tougher is this team this year? Well, I mean, it's a work in progress. We're obviously

playing harder. I think it was, you know, considered effort on our part just to get a little bit stronger physically.

Uh, but Andrew is doing a good job plugging up the middle and uh, you know, he's going to get a lot better. All

right. Thanks a lot. Good luck with the X-ray, sir. Thank you. All right. So,

X-ray, sir. Thank you. All right. So,

the Lakers go to 32 and8. They're in the stretch now playing five of six here at home. That's the best record in the

home. That's the best record in the West. 213 uh here at Staples.

West. 213 uh here at Staples.