Prediction results 1203 @PHI Recap

Recap from http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/recap?gid=2008120320

Bryant scores 32 in Lakers' win over 76ers
By DAN GELSTON, AP Sports Writer 26 minutes ago

PHILADELPHIA (AP) Kobe Bryant heard some different sounds from the hometown
crowd during his usual mix of rally-killing 3-pointers and
straight-to-YouTube baskets.

Long reviled in Philadelphia, Bryant heard some cheers, even some MVP!
chants this time around.

Winning a game and winning over fans made it a good night for Bryant.

Bryant tormented his hometown team again, scoring 32 points to help the Los
Angeles Lakers rebound from a last-second loss with a 114-102 victory over
the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday night.

Its fun when you can bring fans into the game, Bryant said. There were a
lot of Lower Merion alumni here. Were deep.

Lakers coach Phil Jackson said before the game that the thrill of playing
in his home city has worn off for Bryant, but the reigning MVP appeared to
enjoy every big 3 that pushed back the Sixers. He had the lopsided edge in
a late, 1-on-1 battle with Andre Iguodala and gave Los Angeles a needed
pick-me-up.

The Lakers improved to 15-2 one night after they lost in Indiana on a late
tip. Bryant was 12-for-20 from the floor and sank all seven free throws.

If Kobe shoots the ball that well, were going to have a good winning
percentage because hes going to take most of the shots, Jackson said.

Pau Gasol had 22 points and 13 rebounds, and Andrew Bynum scored 18 points
for the Lakers.

Los Angeles never let the middling Sixers get too close in this one.
Philadelphia was within six in the third quarter when Derek Fisher and
Bryant nailed 3-pointers that ballooned the lead to double digits.

We have all the confidence in the world, Bryant said. The key is defense.
Weve got to hold the other team down when it counts.

Andre Miller scored 26 points and Iguodala had 19 for the Sixers, who
played the entire fourth quarter and the last 4:50 of the third without
Elton Brand.

The Sixers said Brand had a strained right hamstringone reason he was
limited to three points on 1-for-7 shooting in 25 ineffective minutes.
Brand will be evaluated on Thursday.

A Sixers spokesman said Brand didnt inform the team of the injury until
midway through the fourth.

I think hes a little bit sore, Miller said. Its tough on the back-to-back
with the injury hes been through. Well see how he is.

The wildly inconsistent Sixers hoped to get their groove back after a
103-95 overtime win at Chicago on Tuesday. Again, they couldnt get
Iguodala, Miller and Brand going offensively at the same time. They lost
for the fifth time in six games and havent won consecutive games since Nov.
21-23.

Team president Ed Stefanski said before the game he wasnt shocked the
Sixers are having trouble adjusting to new roles that came with Brands
free-agent arrival.

Stefanski said hes always looking at ways to make the Sixers better. While
its not necessarily time for major moves yet, they might not be far off if
the Sixers continue to plod along in the East.

Youll never hear patience come out of my mouth, Stefanski said, laughing.
Im one of the fans. I know how they are. Im not going to use that word.

Brand was signed to an $80 million deal to deliver big games against teams
like the Lakers. The Sixers cant afford a serious injury to Brand if they
want to make a move in the East.

With Brand on the bench, guard Lou Williams tried to rally the Sixers in
the fourth. He scored all 15 of his points in the quarter and made three
3s, including two straight that pulled Philadelphia to 101-91.

Hearing some faint chants of MVP! mixed in with the usual Philly boos,
Bryant sank a pair of free throws at the 2-minute mark that gave the Lakers
a 108-97 lead, then followed with a spinning, right-handed layup that put
the game away. Just for fun, he drilled a 3 the next time down and appeared
to stare at Phillys bench.

With less than a minute left, Iguodala decided to guard Bryant as though
Game 7 of a playoff series was tied. Bryant was called for a push-off foul,
and what was left of the crowd howled at the late-game theatrics.

Andre took a challenge with guarding Kobe, 76ers coach Maurice Cheeks said.
Nobody can shut down Kobe. (Bryant) controls the game the way he likes to,
posting shots and getting to the rim.

Notes

Phillies SS Jimmy Rollins was at the game. The Lakers have won five of six
against the Sixers. The Lakers made more free throws (22) than the Sixers
attempted (20). Bryant scored only 34 points in two games vs. Philadelphia
last season.