LOS ANGELES, 13 May 2004 — After an emotionally exhausting day in the legal court, Kobe Bryant found solace on the basketball court.
Bryant exploded for 24 of his 42 points in the second half, rallying the Los Angeles Lakers past the visiting San Antonio Spurs 98-90 on Wednesday to deadlock their Western Conference semifinal series at 2-2.
“It was very draining but it feels good to step out on that basketball court,” said an admittedly “numb” Bryant, who made 15-of- 27 shots but fell six points short of matching his playoff best. “It feels so good to get out there, get up and down and compete. When you love your profession, when you love your job it’s an escape no matter what it is. It’s fun, I enjoy it so much. That’s why I think I play so well in these times.”
Bryant spent the last two days jetting back and forth to Eagle, Colorado dealing with pre-trial sexual hearings in his felony sexual assault charge case.
After formally entering a not-guilty plea to the charges earlier in the day, Bryant returned two hours before game time, found time to sneak in an hour-long nap, and hammered out a decisive verdict in another crucial contest.
“Kobe had a fabulous game, I don’t see how he does stuff like that,” said Lakers star center Shaquille O’Neal after a 28-points, 14-rebound effort. “It just shows what type of heart he has, what type of character he has.”
With both teams holding serve at home, the Lakers will head to San Antonio for the pivotal Game 5 in the best-of-seven series.
Manu Ginobili led San Antonio with 21 points and eight rebounds off the bench. Tim Duncan had 19 points, eight assists and 10 rebounds, while Tony Parker chipped in with 18 points along with eight assists.
Ginobili netted 14 points helping the defending champions Spurs to a 53-43 halftime edge despite 18 by Bryant.
Listless Los Angeles picked up their energy in the third quarter, however. O’Neal (14 points) and Bryant (nine) combined for 23 points when the Lakers outscored the Spurs, 31-16 to grab a 74-69 cushion.
Bryant added 15 points on a variety of jumpers and drives in the final frame as the Lakers never allowed the margin to dip below seven points.
Nets 94 Pistons 79: Jason Kidd had a playoff-high 22 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds as the Nets crushed the visiting Pistons to level their Eastern Conference semifinal series at two games apiece.
Recognized as the premier all-around point guard in the league, Kidd had been in a shooting slump, making just nine-of-40 field goals while averaging 7.3 points. But he found the mark, hitting eight of 15 shots in the fourth consecutive lopsided victory for the home team.
The Nets built a 47-40 halftime advantage, and broke open the game with a 30-16 third quarter. Kidd exploded for 13 points that opened up a commanding 77-56 heading into the final period, and coasted to the win.
Richard Jefferson scored 19 points while Kenyon Martin added 16 and 15 rebounds for the two-time defending Eastern Conference champion Nets, who placed five in double figures.
Richard Hamilton scored 30 points but was the only player in double figures for Detroit, which shot 37 percent (24-of-65) from the floor in suffering its second consecutive blowout.
Detroit host Game Five tomorrow night before returning to New Jersey on Sunday.
