Pivot Points: The "Kobe Clutch" Show Plays to Rave Reviews on the Road

If you're keeping count at home, that's two opportunities for Kobe Bryant to close out an opponent with a last-second shot, and two instances of success in spectacular fashion.

Bryant alone brought his Los Angeles Laker team back from a six-point deficit in overtime against the Milwaukee Bucks, and hit a 15-foot jumper over the out-stretched hands of Charlie Bell as time expired.

Bryant's final line was 39 points on 13-28 shooting while going 12-12 from the free throw line. That gives Bryant back-to-back games of almost 40 points and increases his clutch status to 100 percent for the season.

The shot at the buzzer that downed the Miami Heat was rightly called a lucky shot, even by Bryant himself, regardless of the implications, but what transpired Wednesday night was calculated and cold-blooded.

What has to be most satisfying for Laker fans is the manner in which the events unfolded, as they have been forced to listen to various people decry the merits of Kobe as a clutch player.

This one left no doubt, and if a recipe could be mixed to make a clutch moment, then the ingredients would include Bryant's actions in the final minutes of overtime.

Not to take anything away from the young Bucks team that gave a valiant and courageous effort in defeat, and were even in position to win the game on more than one occasion.

Andrew Bogut resembled the dominant player that everyone thought he could be with 16 points and 12 rebounds while Michael Redd chipped in 25 points himself. Ersan Ilyasova continued his welcome to the NBA tour with a career-high 24 points.

The only thing missing from the Bucks was a shining performance from Rookie-of-the-Year candidate Brandon Jennings who fell victim to an off shooting night but still managed to amass seven assists.

Bryant was not alone in his efforts as superstar compadre Pau Gasol recorded 26 points, and for the second time in three games set a career high with 22 rebounds.

This night, however, belonged to Bryant and it was not without a little controversy to spice things up. In overtime, Kobe drew a blocking foul from Bogut and scored at the same time to give him an opportunity for a three-point play.

The call could have gone either way and the Bucks were right to question the call, because none of those decisions seem to ever be made with any consistency, and on this night the call favored the Lakers.

Kobe sank the free throw and the stage was set to add another chapter to his brilliant legacy. It should be noted that Bryant had a chance to win the game in regulation from about the same spot on the floor, but his attempt fell short.

Given a chance to redeem himself, Kobe was more than up to the challenge as he scored six points in a row after the Bucks had taken a 106-100 lead in overtime, and appeared ready to send the Lakers to their second road loss in three games.

It was not to be as Kobe took the inbounds pass from Lamar Odom, backed Bell down on the wing, spun, and released his shot as time expired. Nothing but net and the game was over.

After the game, Redd expressed how much he hated losing games to Bryant, and his sentiments are most certainly reciprocated from the legions of basketball fans that despise everything Kobe Bryant.

No matter, because on this night Kobe once again put a finger to his lips to silence the haters in the same fashion that he silenced the whole city of Milwaukee.

On this night, basketball's best player once again proved that he was also the game's most clutch player, and the manner in which he achieved this should forever put to rest the ridiculous notion that he's not.