Refuse to lose. The amazing Kobe Bryant (41 PTS, 12 AST, 6 REB) willed his team to another victory despite fatigue and sore shoulders. Dwight Howard (24 PTS, 13 REB, 5 BLK, 3 STL) was also heroic and Steve Nash (22 PTS) hit four triples as the Lakers rallied from down 15 to force overtime. DeMar DeRozan (28 PTS, 5 REB, 5 AST) led Toronto as Rudy Gay (17 PTS, 7 REB, 4 AST, 3 STL, 2 BLK) missed 19 shots and turned it over six times. Andrea Bargnani reinjured his elbow after nine minutes. Jonas Valanciunas (12 PTS, 6 REB in 16:32) will benefit if Bargnani misses more games.
Other Friday Results
WAS @ BRK: Holy mackerel, was Deron Williams on fire. He hit eleven 3-pointers and 15 of 24 shots, for 42 points. At the half, D-Will had 33 to match the entire Wizards team. His nine triples in the half set a new NBA record; he had four before the visitors got on the scoreboard. Reggie Evans finished with 11 points and a career-high 24 rebounds as the other Nets were mostly spectators. Washington shot 36%; John Wall (16 PTS, 6 REB) missed 13 shots and was their best player.
OKC @ CHA: That one was literally too easy. Nobody on the Thunder played more than 25 minutes, so even Kevin Durant (19 PTS, 7 AST, 6 REB) didn’t have a great fantasy line as the second- and third-stringers got some extra run. Gerald Henderson (21 PTS, 5 REB, 5 AST) led the Bobcats, and we already told you to pick up Ben Gordon (19 PTS, 4 REB, 3 AST) who is out of the doghouse for at least a couple of weeks. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (2 PTS in 22 minutes) disappeared after two promising efforts.
IND @ ORL: There wasn’t much Magic for the home team, as the Pacers cranked up their game at both ends of the floor. Paul George (25 PTS, 5 REB, 3 AST) hit four 3-pointers and the second unit was impressive, with Tyler Hansbrough (18 PTS, 6 REB) and D.J. Augustin (14 PTS, 8 AST, 4 3PTM) extending the lead. Arron Afflalo (19) led Orlando, as Tobias Harris (7 PTS, 8 REB, 2 BLK) was held to 2-for-8 shooting and turned it over four times against the Indiana defense.
Wow, thanks for the freeroll Sheridan. I’m going to Disney Land!