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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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13. Points: 62. Quarters: 3.

Many remember Kobe Bryant scoring 81 points against the Toronto Raptors; how could they not? What’s often overlooked, however, is a performance that rivals the 81-point outburst in impressiveness.

Just over one month prior to the legendary 81, Bryant scored 62 points against the Dallas Mavericks—in three quarters.

Dallas, which entered the game at 18-6 with an MVP candidate in Dirk Nowitzki and a soon-to-be All-Star wing in Josh Howard, had no answer for No. 8. Bryant shot 18-of-31 from the field, 4-of-10 from 3-point range, and made an unfathomable 22-of-25 free throws.

Bryant, who won the scoring title that season, scored 62 of Los Angeles’ 95 points through three quarters.

With the game in hand, Bryant was given the rest of the night off. One can’t help but wonder if he would’ve reached or exceeded 81 points had he remained in the game on December 20, 2005.

This was yet another unforgettable moment from an iconic 2005-06 season.

Next: Madison Square Garden

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