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Kobe Bryant: 50 Greatest Moments of Black Mamba’s Career

By Maxwell Ogden

Jan 20, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (24) warms up before the game against the Sacramento Kings at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 20, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (24) warms up before the game against the Sacramento Kings at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /
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15. 65 + Clutch 101

Brandon Roy could’ve been one of the best players in the NBA. He proved as much by making two All-NBA and three All-Star Game appearances during his brief, glorious, and injury-shortened career.

During his rookie season, Roy was welcomed to the NBA by one of Kobe Bryant’s all-time great performances.

Bryant dominated the Portland Trail Blazers from start to finish. He scored an obscene 65 points on 23-of-39 shooting from the field, also converting 8-of-12 attempts from beyond the arc and 11-of-12 shots at the free throw line.

Every point mattered, as only two other players on the Los Angeles Lakers scored in double-figures.

The Lakers ended up winning the game 116-111, but it took overtime and more clutch heroics from Bryant to get the job done. He sank a game-tying 3-point field goal with 17.2 seconds on the clock, scored 24 points in the fourth quarter, and came up with a nine decisive points in overtime.

This is one of the great clutch performances in NBA history.

Next: Franchise History

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