Kobe returns, sends Celtics to 13th straight loss

Feb 1, 2007, 4:00 GMT

Boston, MA - Kobe Bryant came back refreshed and on a mission after his controversial one-game suspension, and ripped the Celtics for 43 points to lead the LA Lakers to a 111-98 win over Boston.

Bryant was suspended for LA's 99-94 loss to the Knicks on Tuesday night for striking Spurs guard Manu Ginobili in Sunday's game, an incident that Bryant claimed was unintentional.

Bryant made 7-of-9 from behind the arc, and added eight assists and eight rebounds for the Lakers, who snapped a three-game skid with the win. Smush Parker scored 19 points, and Lamar Odom added 10 points and nine rebounds for LA. Vladimir Radmanovic scored 13 points in the win.

Ryan Gomes scored 23 points and grabbed seven rebounds for the Celtics, who tied a franchise record with their 13th straight loss. Gerald Green scored 22 points, and Brian Scalabrine scored a season-high 17 for Boston. Al Jefferson added 10 points and 14 boards.

Boston has not won since its 128-119 win over the Memphis Grizzlies on Jan. 5th.

'Well, I guess that's one way to get into the record books. Not the way you want to,' said Celtics head coach Doc Rivers.

Green pulled the Celtics to within one midway through the third quarter, hitting a three-pointer and a jumper on consecutive possessions to cut the LA lead to 63-62. Bryant answered with a back-to-back threes, though, pushing the lead back out to 69-62.

The Lakers star drilled a shot from 30 feet out at the buzzer, pushing the LA advantage to 83-73 entering the fourth.

Scalabrine scored nine straight midway through the fourth quarter to bring Boston within 91-84 with 6:51 left. Bryant answered with a layup, though, Parker hit a three, and an Odom layup pushed the LA lead to 100-88 with just over three minutes left.

Bryant added a sensational reverse dunk and a long fadeaway three pointer in the final two minutes to cap the win.

'I just got in a good rhythm and was able to put on a good show there,' said Bryant.

The Lakers led 35-32 after the first quarter.

The Celts battled back into the game with a 20-8 stretch to open the second quarter, tying the game at 43. The Lakers closed the quarter with a 10-2 run, though, and took a 57-49 lead into the break.

Game Notes

This was Bryant's fourth straight 40-point game against Boston.

This is the third time a Celtics team has lost 13 straight, which also happened in 1994 and 1997.

The loss extended Boston's franchise worst 10-game home losing skid. Boston is 4-18 at home on the season.

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