Kobe Bryant’s Streak Ends in Loss to Blazers

Yahoo Sports: PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Before the Trail Blazers had to face Kobe Bryant and his four-game streak of 45 or more points, Portland coach Nate McMillan drew a heart to inspire his team.

“He explained what it was all about,” guard Steve Blake said. “He just said you’ve got to play with a lot of heart and a lot of passion. You’ve got to want it.”

The Blazers were inspired. They ended Bryant’s streak and emerged with a 113-103 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday night. Juan Dixon scored 27 points to help Portland stop a six-game skid.

Bryant, who finished with 41 points, noticed the Blazers’ newfound motivation.

“They came out and played a lot harder than we did. After the last showing they had on their home floor, I think they took it upon themselves and played with more effort and more heart,” Bryant said. “And they did it.”

Bryant, who had 23 points at the half, dunked with 23.9 seconds left to narrow it to 111-103, but the Lakers couldn’t get any closer, ending a three-game winning streak.

“Kobe was waiting for his game to get hot and it never happened, and we tried to force the ball into him and it cost us,” Lakers coach Phil Jackson said.

Bryant had scored at least 45 points in his last four games, becoming the first player to put together such a streak since Wilt Chamberlain in 1964. Elgin Baylor also reached the milestone in 1961.

The only player with more than four straight is Chamberlain, who had nine consecutive games with 45 or more points in November 1962.

Bryant now has 11 games this season with 40 or more points and 51 games for his career. Among active players with 40-plus point games, Bryant trails only Allen Iverson, who has 67.

Bryant has two games with 50 or more points this season, and seven in his career.

“He is one of the best I’ve played against and coached against,” said McMillan, who played for the Seattle SuperSonics. “What he’s done lately is unbelievable.”

Ruben Patterson inadvertently bonked Bryant in the eye when he was going up for a layup midway through the fourth quarter. Bryant collapsed on the court, but was able to return to the game.

McMillan didn’t start leading scorer Zach Randolph because he was late for a shootaround. But the forward was quickly inserted into the game when Ratliff committed two fouls in the first 30 seconds.

Randolph finished with 17 points and 14 rebounds for his 16th double-double of the season.

The Blazers, who led by as many as 11 points, took a 31-24 lead on Steve Blake’s 3-pointer at the end of the first quarter.

Kobe and the Lakers will try to shake off this loss against LeBron James and the Cavs. Tip off is at 7:30 PM, and as always, we have live Gameday coverage in our ClubLakers.com Forums!

Did you make the Good Call of the Night? Click here to check the Nightly Standings!