After enduring one of the worst games in his career a day earlier, Kobe Bryant was determined not to endure an encore on Sunday.
Bryant blistered Golden State for 40 points to lead the Lakers’ 120-112 victory over Golden State.
In his previous game Saturday afternoon against New Orleans, Bryant missed his first 15 shots and was shut out through three quarters before breaking out in the final quarter.
“It’s always interesting to me to hear people talk after a game like that,” Bryant told the Associated Press. “The amount of idiots that live out here after 16 years baffle me. I guess people just get dumber over the years.”
It was Bryant’s 112th career game with at least 40 points as he topped the Studs for Sunday’s game. The Lakers pulled 1½ games ahead of the Los Angeles Clippers for third place in the Western Conference.
STUDS
Los Angeles Lakers G Kobe Bryant: Slump? What slump? Bryant erupted for 40 points, five assists, three rebounds and was plus-13 in the Lakers’ victory over Golden State.
Oklahoma City G Russell Westbrook: Went for 27 points, five assists, four steals, three rebounds and was plus-28 in the Thunder’s victory over Chicago.
Los Angeles Lakers F Pau Gasol: Filled the stat sheet for 26 points, 11 rebounds, six assists and three blocks in the Lakers’ victory over Golden State.
Boston G Rajon Rondo: Notched his fifth triple-double this season with 16 points, 11 rebounds, 14 assists and shared game honors with plus-28 in the Celtics’ victory over Miami.
Indiana G Danny Granger: Erupted for 32 points, seven rebounds, three assists and two blocks in the Pacers’ overtime triumph at Houston.
DUDS
Miami F Chris Bosh: Clanked through a 2-for-11 shooting effort with three turnovers and was minus-13 in the Heat’s loss at Boston.
Phoenix F Hakim Warrick: Missed all three shots with two turnovers and was minus-3 in the Suns’ victory over New Orleans.
Denver C JaVale McGee: Went 1 for 3 from the field with five turnovers and was a game-worst minus-19 in the Nuggets’ triumph over Orlando.
Toronto G DeMar DeRozan: Struggled through a 4-for-11 shooting night with four turnovers in the Raptors’ victory over Washington.
Chicago C Joakim Noah: Clanked through a 1-for-8 shooting effort and was minus-21 in the Bulls’ loss at Oklahoma City.