Kobe Bryant scores 35 points today in Houston. 2 more games to go. #MambaMomentshttps://t.co/eQ7pItjzPk
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) April 10, 2016
James Harden had a monster game on Sunday (40 points, 13 assists) and handed the lowly Lakers yet another loss (their fifth straight overall), but all was right with the basketball world as we were treated to a vintage performance from Kobe Bryant, who went off for 35 points on 10-of-22 shooting from the floor.
He showed off the full repertoire that’s made him one of the game’s greatest players of all-time, including dribble-drives to the basket, post moves, and a handful of deep, contested three-pointers, one of which came at the end of the third quarter with the clock winding down after a nice crossover move on Trevor Ariza.
Kobe led all Lakers in scoring, while Jordan Clarkson added 21 points on 9-of-17 shooting. It was a must-win game for the Rockets, who are still fighting for their playoff lives as they sit just a half-game back of the Jazz for the eighth and final spot in the West. There are now just two games remaining in Kobe’s Hall of Fame career, a road game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday before his final game at Staples Center on Wednesday against Utah.
