Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers try for the third consecutive game to eliminate the Denver Nuggets on Saturday night in Game 7 of their first round NBA playoff series at Staples Center. This is the 24th Game 7 in Lakers history, and the club is 15-8 all-time in Game 7.
Bryant is 4-1 in Game 7 in his career, averaging 23.2 points on 38.1% shooting, plus 9.4 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game. In Kobe's career, the Lakers have won in Game 7 against the Boston Celtics (2010 NBA Finals), Houston Rockets (2009 second round), Sacramento Kings (2002 Western Conference Finals, on the road), and Portland Trail Blazers.
The only Lakers' loss in Game 7 came against the Phoenix Suns in 2006, when Phoenix eliminated the Lakers with a 121-90 victory that marked the only time in Lakers franchise history that they lost a series after holding a 3-1 lead.
The Lakers are 14-1 all-time at home in Game 7, including winning their last 10 such occurrences. The only Game 7 home loss for the Lakers came courtesy of Don Nelson and his shot that caromed high off the rim into the basket for the deciding margin in the Boston's 108-106 victory at the Forum in Game 7 of the 1969 NBA Finals.
The Lakers are 43-42 all-time in elimination games, including 8-6 in such games since 2000.
For more news and notes on Lakers basketball or on this first round NBA playoff series, be sure to read Silver Screen and Roll.
