Heat 83 - 93 Lakers
Final
  for this game

Bryant, Lakers take down Heat

Mar 5, 2012 - 1:26 AM Los Angeles, CA (Sports Network) - Kobe Bryant scored 33 points on Sunday, leading the Lakers to a 93-83 win over the Heat.

Bryant, still donning a protective mask as a result of a hard foul delivered by Dwyane Wade in last Sunday's All-Star game, made 14-of-23 shots. Metta World Peace added 17 points, seven rebounds and a season-high four steals for the Lakers, who have won three straight and eight of 10.

"When I'm healthy I'm one of the best defenders ever," said World Peace. "The media will never tell you, but I've been one of the best defenders in the last decade."

The Heat have lost two in a row, marking just the second time this season that they have dropped consecutive games.

LeBron James had 25 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists in the setback, while Wade added 16 points before fouling out with 5:14 to play. Miami was without power forward Chris Bosh for the third straight game, as he continues to deal with a death in the family.

"These two games are a very small part of our season," said Miami coach Erik Spoelstra. "I'm disappointed to lose, but we're going home to play three in a row. We'll be OK."

Los Angeles was in control for the majority of the game.

Bryant started strong, scoring 18 first-quarter points on 8-of-10 shooting en route to a 28-20 lead after one.

The Lakers were up by as many as 16 in the second before taking a 50-38 lead into the break.

Miami's lone run came in the third.

James scored seven points during a 12-2 burst which pulled the Heat within four, 58-54. Andrew Bynum responded with a layup but Miami was able to cut the deficit to two, 60-58, behind a Wade jumper and a put-back layup from James.

The Lakers, though, never relinquished the lead.

World Peace answered with a three-pointer, then hit 1-of-2 foul shots to make it 64-58. He stretched the advantage to nine, 71-62, catching a half-court alley-oop from Steve Blake and laying the ball home at the end of the third.

The Heat briefly threatened at the end of the fourth, pulling within six, 87-81, on Mario Chalmers' three-pointer with 1:27 left. But a Bryant fadeaway and a floater from Derek Fisher dispatched any notion of a late comeback.

Game Notes

The Lakers improved to 17-2 at home this season...Miami had won its previous four meetings with the Lakers...Bryant suffered a concussion courtesy of Wade's All-Star game foul.






Related News