Lakers-Cavaliers: LeBron James Outduels Kobe Bryant in Win

Kobe Bryant versus LeBron James headlined this game instead of their respective teams, and let’s just say both superstars did not disappoint.

Despite James’ missed free throws late in the game, the Cavaliers pulled out a victory in the Staples Center 98-95.

LeBron James had 41 points and nine rebounds to Bryant’s had 33 points, 11 rebounds, and six assists.

In the second half, the Lakers attempted 30 free throws after only having seven in the entire first half.

James missed two crucial free throws with 1:50 remaining and the Lakers almost tip-toed their way to a win.

But James rebounded to score all seven of the Cavs remaining points including the game-winning jumper in which he shook off a Drew Gooden screen and buried the jumper, with Bryant defending, with 20 seconds left.

The Lakers made it interesting, though. Derek Fisher missed a three-pointer on the ensuing possession, but Ronnie Turiaf got the rebound and put in a layup off the glass—the layup gave the Cavs a one-point lead 96-95 with 13 seconds in regulation.

Larry Hughes inbounded the ball for the Cavaliers and threw the ball to Daniel Gibson, but Gibson slipped and the pass sailed over his head. 

Luke Walton, Gibson's defender, picked up the ball 15 feet from the basket and threw it to Bryant. The guard threw a high arcing layup off the glass that fell short but got the rebound. Bryant then proceeded to attempt another shot, but had the ball stripped by Gibson and the Cavs gained possession and called a time-out.

Bryant was furious and was lucky he didn't get a technical foul—he picked up his first technical in the 3rd with 4:48 left.

The Cavs inbounded and this time James got the ball, got fouled, and knocked down the free throws to give Cleveland a 98-95 lead.

With 10 seconds left, Turiaf got the inbound and passed it to Bryant.

Cleveland brought extra help to defend Bryant, who then threw it to Walton. With about three seconds left, Walton could not make up his mind—he took two dribbles, one crossing out of three-point territory, then one going back into three-point territory. The forward panicked and threw it to Kobe with 0.7 seconds left and the Lakers were unable to get off a shot in time.

Kobe's unofficial three-point attempt went long off the rim. The Cavaliers lost energy rod Anderson Varejao in the third at the 3:15 mark when he went up for a rebound, Varejao came down on Lakers’ Sasha Vujacic's foot.

He was diagnosed with a high left ankle sprain and his return was listed as doubtful in the game. 

Coming into the game the Lakers were 13-0 when leading into the fourth quarter, Los Angeles was 71-68 at start of forth.

But the Cavs had 16 comebacks from deficits going into the fourth, the most in NBA.

With those stats updated, the Lakers are 13-1 when leading into the fourth quarter and the Cavs have 17 comebacks from deficits going into the fourth quarter.

This was the 10th win in 12 games for the (24-19) Cavaliers who play Portland Wednesday night. For the Lakers it was their fourth loss in five games and they play New York Tuesday night.