Lakers Week In Review: Kobe Bryant Scores, Scores, And Scores Some More

The Los Angeles Lakers may have lost Saturday night to their crosstown rival Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday night, but their week was still a productive one. The Lakers pounded out their second straight 3-1 week, with the highlights provided by the prolific scoring hand of one Kobe Bryant.

Bryant scored 40 or more points in all four games for the week, averaging 43 points per contest, surpassing the three total 40-point games Kobe had all of last season. Bryant has five of the top six individual scoring performances in the NBA this season. Here's a look back at the Lakers and their week, running from Monday, January 9 through Sunday, January 15.

Tuesday: Lakers 99, Phoenix Suns 83: Bryant scored 17 points in the first quarter, including 13 points in the final four minutes of the period. The game was close, a one-point affair in the fourth quarter, but the Lakers ended the game on a 16-1 run. Kobe ended with an NBA season-high 48 points.

Wednesday: Lakers 90, Utah Jazz 87 (OT): Big man Pau Gasol had 14 points and 11 rebounds, the fourth of his sixth straight double-doubles, and hit a three-pointer in overtime. Andrew Bynum blocked a potential game-tying shot in the final second to preserve the win, the only road win of the season so far for the Lakers.

Friday: Lakers 97, Cleveland Cavaliers 92: The Lakers built a lead as big as 19 points, but had to sweat in the end as Cleveland made a furious comeback effort. Kobe Bryant ended with 42 points on the night, and Derek Fisher dished out 10 assists for the first time in three years and two days, helping the Lakers to their fifth straight win.

Saturday: Los Angeles Clippers 102, Lakers 94: Playing their fourth game in five nights against a well-rested Clippers team, the Lakers played like a tired team on Saturday. The Clippers outrebounded the Lakers 50-42, and Chris Paul was superb for the Clippers with 33 points, snapping the Lakers win streak.

Here are some individual notes for the week:

• Kobe Bryant: 43.0 points per game, 6.3 rebounds per game, 3.5 assists per game, 50.4% FG
• Pau Gasol: 15.8 points per game, 10.8 rebounds per game, 46.7% FG
• Andrew Bynum: 12.8 points per game, 11.0 rebounds per game, 2.5 blocks per game, 51.2% FG
• Derek Fisher: 23 assists, three turnovers
• Metta World Peace: four for 17 from the field (23.5%), 0 for 7 on three-pointers (has missed 13 straight threes)

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