Round two between a pair of the league’s most lethal scorers ended with revenge for Kobe Bryant.
He dropped 39 points to lead the Lakers past Washington and Gilbert Arenas (37 points), 118-102.
Just two minutes earlier, Arenas erupted for 60 points to top Bryant’s 45 in the Wizards’ overtime win.
“I talked a little at halftime not to make this a personal duel,” head coach Phil Jackson told the media. “But it’s unavoidable sometimes on a night like tonight.”
While the two ended with similar scoring totals, Bryant had a much more efficient night, shooting 14-of-26 from the field and 9-of-10 on free throws, while collecting six rebounds and six assists.
Meanwhile, Arenas shot just 9-of-29, though he did hold his own at the foul line, where he went 16-of-17.
Led by Bryant, Los Angeles shot 51.9 percent to Washington’s 36.3 percent clip.
All five starting Lakers finished in double figures, including Smush Parker (20 points) and Lamar Odom (19 points, 11 rebounds).
Kobe performances on this day in history:
