Raps Take Lead, But Kobe Seals the Win

It wasn’t exactly the type of Grammy road trip Laker fans were hoping for, but nonetheless the Los Angeles Lakers limped home with a 94-92 win over the Toronto Raptors and with perhaps even more questions than when they embarked on their 6-game foray over a week ago. Kobe Bryant (27 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal) hit the game winner with 4.2 seconds left on the clock but not before the Lakers had relinquished an 18-point first half lead. They had to withstand another career night from another point guard, this time Spaniard Jose Calderon (30 points, 6 assists, 2 rebounds). Calderon hit big shot after big shot, shooting from out deep as well as pulling up for easy jumpers over his Laker defenders. But unlike their loss in New York, the Lakers clamped down defensively and held on for their fifth road win of the season.

The Lakers concluded their extended trip away from home with a barely palpable 3-3 record and very lucky to do so at that. With the Raptors nipping at their heels late in the 4th quarter, Toronto tied the score on a Calderon 3-pointer. After Kobe missed a jumper under duress, DeMar DeRozan (8 points on 2-13, 7 assists, 2 rebounds, 2 steals) found a wide open Ed Davis on the fastbreak for the emphatic slam dunk. Bryant missed another forced shot which led to a Linas Kleiza (15 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal) score giving the Raps an 88-84 lead with just over two minutes to play. Faced with the prospect of another 4th quarter meltdown, the Lakers wasted no time in getting the ball back into the hands of their leader once again. This time, the Black Mamba casually caught the ball on the wing, spun around and drained a 3-pointer forcing a Toronto time-out.

Calderon had the ball poked away by Kobe who then sped out for a breakaway. DeRozan was quickly making up ground and caught up to him for a showdown at the basket. But Kobe flipped the ball over his shoulder to a trailing Metta World Peace (9 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals) for the lay-up and the lead. Calderon didn’t miss his chance the next time downcourt, calmly splashing a jumper from the elbow to give the lead back to the Raps as the Air Capital Centre exploded in jubilation. With the game on the line, it was Kobe-time again and he fearlessly sank a fall-away jumper from the baseline for the go-ahead bucket. The Raptors flubbed their next opportunity as they failed to inbound the ball within 5-seconds, handing the ball back to the Lakers. Kobe was immediately fouled and converted 1-2 from the line giving Toronto a glimmer of hope and one last gasp. This time, the defense held up as Kobe face-guarded Calderon near midcourt and forced him to pass the ball. DeRozan’s desperation 3-pointer never had a chance as the Lakers hung on despite another rocky ending.

“We’re a poor road team, and that’s what we need to turn around,” Bryant said. “If we could figure out a way to win games on the road, our record would be much, much better.” With the Grammy’s now out of the way, the Lakers face the Atlanta Hawks Tuesday evening for a Valentine’s Day match-up. But also looming on the horizon is the impending trade deadline. If the Lakers expect to vie for another championship, some hard decisions will need to be made. The team, as it’s composed now, doesn’t stand a chance in the ubber-competitive Western Conference, let alone the Beasts in the East. With Dwight Howard swaying back-and-forth daily, it’s all or nothing time for Los Angeles. Does Mitch Kupchak push all-in or will Laker fans have to try and bluff their way through another mediocre hand?