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Kobe Bryant: Top 10 Best Career Performances

By Sam Richmond

October 19, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) during a stoppage in play against the Utah Jazz during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
October 19, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) during a stoppage in play against the Utah Jazz during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 24, 2013; Dallas, TX, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) during the game against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 24, 2013; Dallas, TX, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) during the game against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /

Dec. 20, 2005 — Dallas Mavericks at Los Angeles Lakers

62 points, eight rebounds and three steals in 33 minutes

It’s one thing to score 62 points in an NBA game.

It’s another to score 62 points in an NBA game without playing a second of the fourth quarter.

That’s what Kobe did when facing the Mavericks in December 2005, as his excellent play during the first three quarters put the Lakers up by such a margin that his services weren’t needed in the game’s final 12 minutes.

Bryant scored his 62 via 18-of-31 shooting from the field, 4-for-10 shooting from 3 and 22-of-25 shooting from the line. All NBA fans can do is wonder just how many Kobe could have scored if Phil Jackson had let Bryant run in the fourth.

Fortunately for us, it wouldn’t be too long after this game that Kobe really had it going and was needed in the fourth.

Which brings us to…

Next: No. 1 Game