Since the late Kobe Bryant wore No. 8 and No. 24 during his 20 years Laker career, 8/24 (Monday) was chosen to memorialise him, which coincided with the Lakers Game 4 duel with the Portland Trail Blazers.
And given the NBA’s typical schedule, NBA games aren’t usually played in August and the Lakers may never have another chance to honor Bryant on his day again. So, they took advantage of the rare opportunity to play for Kobe.
They wore the “Black Mamba” uniforms that he designed for the game, but the rest of their tributes could not possibly have been planned.
After their loss to the Blazers in Game 1 of their first-round series, the Lakers have absolutely gone all guns blazing on the No. 8 seed. They won Games 2 and 3 and then ran riot over the Blazers to take a 3-1 lead in Game 4 after a 135-115 blowout.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZTNV2Zomck
LeBron James again took charge as he scored 30 points on a blistering 10-of-12 shooting to go along with 10 assists and six rebounds. Playoff LeBron is back.
Playoff Damian Lillard, however, is not. He left Game 4 with a knee injury after only scoring 11 points through two quarters and some change.
Anthony Davis also left the game due to back spasms, but given the enormous margin, the Lakers had no reason to risk their franchise center in a blowout.
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The Lakers opened this game on a 24-8 run, putting both of Bryant’s numbers on the scoreboard at the same time (naturally, with the Lakers on top as he would have liked).
LeBron James scored eight points in the first quarter, and with Davis’ 16, the two combined to match Bryant’s 24 yet again. In the end, thanks to his 30 points and 10 assists, James became the first Laker since Bryant to post consecutive playoff double-doubles.
J.R. Smith even tied Bryant on the NBA’s all-time postseason 3-point leaderboard.
It’s been months since Bryant’s death in a January helicopter accident, but the Lakers and the Basketball world haven’t forgotten him and never will.
The Lakers would surely love to win a championship in Kobe’s honor, and if tonight is any indication, they are this season’s team of destiny.
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