Kobe Bryant throws down a nasty dunk over Josh Smith youtu.be/8Z9aTJCVUYE

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 4, 2013

The last time the Lakers weren't below .500 the Mayans were still expecting to kill us all.

— Lakers Nation (@LakersNation) March 4, 2013

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

Another legendary performance by Kobe Bryant with 34 points, six rebounds, four assists and two steals, en route to a 99-98 win over the Atlanta Hawks.

What won't show up on the stat sheet though was his "dunk of the year" candidate with the game on the line.

With 2:16 left in the game and the Lakers down one point, Kobe drove right on Josh Smith and threw it down with some serious stank. 

If that wasn't enough, Kobe emphasized his dominance over Smith by hitting the eventual game winner over Smith in the paint with just nine seconds left in the game.

While it was a great game for Kobe, the Lakers blew a 16-point lead in the third quarter and had to fight back against the hot shooting of Kyle Korver and Devin Harris—who combined for 32 points off the bench for Atlanta. 

Smith and Al Horford did all they could do, combining for 43 points, but they simply couldn't stop the Black Mamba.

The Lakers still have tons of work to do if they want to make the playoffs, but this win helps them stay within striking distance of the Houston Rockets and the eighth seed in the Western Conference. 

Kobe Bryant (34 Pts) shines in the 4th qtr. as Lakers get back to .500 with 99-98 win over Hawks on #NBANocheLatina

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) March 4, 2013

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

Kobe has something in his veins that's colder than the coldest cold we all know. Takes it strong on Josh Smith for the second-straight possession. #Legendary 

Lakers 99, Hawks 98—9.0 remaining in the 4th quarter

Ball movement = key for Atlanta Hawks. It's something the Lakers don't have.

Hawks 98, Lakers 97—18.5 remaining in the 4th quarter

After scoring 2 points in the first 43 minutes, Jeff Teague has all 6 Hawks points in the final 5. ATL ball down 1, 33.5 left.

— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) March 4, 2013

Kwame too RT @t_hunter_yeah: Stu Lantz just made a point...Kobe has done all he's done without being able to palm the basketball. #nutz

— Chris Trenchard (@ChrisTrenchard) March 4, 2013

Denver's Iguodala on Kobe's driving dunk past Josh Smith RT @espnnba RT @andre: That might be dunk of the year!!!!

— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) March 4, 2013

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

Clear travel on Kobe turns into a foul call. That's what we call a "make up call."

Lakers 97, Hawks 96—33.5 remaining in the 4th quarter

#Lakers with a time out and the #ATLHawks trail LA, 95-94 with 1 minute left to play. Who's the playmaker in the final minute Hawks fans????

— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) March 4, 2013

Can you believe that at one point the Lakers were up 16 points? Oh, and that was in the 3rd quarter. #SMH

Lakers 95, Hawks 94—1:01 remaining in the 4th quarter

Hawks possession, off the Kobe turnover. 

Kobe Bryant just said HELLO to #SCtop10 with his MONSTER dunk over Josh Smith!

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) March 4, 2013

Kobe Bryant - with no regard for human life! (Kevin Harlan voice, again)

— Chris Broussard (@Chris_Broussard) March 4, 2013

Here comes an enormous possession for the Lakers. Huge possession.

Lakers 95, Hawks 94—1:07 remaining in the 4th quarter

KOBE. #GERMANKNEES

— Lakers Nation (@LakersNation) March 4, 2013

Every time the Lakers look like they're ready to create a big lead they do something stupid. That's the sign of a non-playoff team.

Lakers 95, Hawks 94—2:03 remaining in the 4th quarter

A wide-open 3 from MWP is a big one for LAL, putting them up 93-92 off Nash's 10th assist. Crunch time here, 3:15 and counting.

— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) March 4, 2013

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

MWP is saving his big buckets for the fourth quarter. Phew, this guy just toys with you all game long.

Lakers 93, Hawks 92—3:12 remaining in the 4th quarter

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

This one is going to come down to which team can stop turning the ball over. My guess is that team is going to be Atlanta—Lakers (20 TO) Hawks (13 TO).

Lakers 90, Hawks 90—3:55 remaining in the 4th quarter

Lakers forced the turnover, and have a D12 shot blocked by Josh Smith.

Huge possession for the Lakers here.

Lakers 90, Hawks 90—4:22 remaining in the 4th quarter

Kobe misses the dunk attempt, but knocks down both free throws to tie things back up.

Lakers 90, Hawks 90—5:02 remaining in the 4th quarter

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

There's the 20th turnover for the Lakers—leads to an Al Horford dunk. 27 points off turnovers for the Hawks.

Dare I say the Hawks are a better coached team?

Hawks 90, Lakers 88—5:53 remaining in the 4th quarter

I'm sure Josh Smith and Al Horford were who the Lakers were really worried about.

Kyle Korver (+20) and Devin Harris (+24) have 16 points apiece, & 10 total assists. They've been the key for ATL.

— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) March 4, 2013

Steve Nash is a +19 tonight. He's been terrific, & is waiting to check back in with the game tied at 86 and 6:40 to play.

— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) March 4, 2013