After coming up with one of the NBA’s most notable offensive performances of the season, Kobe Bryant preferred to talk about his defensive effort.
Bryant scored 26 of his 38 points in the fourth quarter and overtime, and put the clamps on Tracy McGrady during that time as the Los Angeles Lakers rallied to beat the Orlando Magic 113-110 on Monday night.
Shaquille O’Neal had 27 points and a season-high 23 rebounds for the Lakers, who overcame a 19-point deficit late in the third period thanks mainly to Bryant, who scored all but one of his points after halftime.
McGrady, the NBA’s leading scorer, had 37 points to give him 139 in the last three games. But he scored only five in the fourth quarter and overtime, when he was guarded by Bryant.
« I think of myself as a throwback — not only can I score the basketball, I can keep people from scoring, » Bryant said. « It was very fun. I love those matchups. »
Gary Payton, who had 12 points and nine assists, made a 3-pointer from the left corner with 1:44 remaining to snap a 110-all tie and complete the scoring.
DeShawn Stevenson’s 3-pointer at the buzzer fell far short.
Juwan Howard had a season-high 29 points and nine rebounds and Stevenson scored 18 for the Magic. McGrady also had seven rebounds and 10 assists.
Bryant guarded McGrady only occasionally until the fourth quarter.
