Bryant scores 31 to lead Lakers past Wizards 108-104

Kobe Bryant breezed through the Philadelphia 76ers’ locker room and said to no one in particular, “Keep it going, guys”.

After losing to the Philadelphia 76ers Tuesday, the Los Angeles Lakers escaped the Washington Wizards, who defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers last night, with a four-point victory led by Kobe Bryant on Wednesday.

Luke Walton has more National Basketball Association coach of the month awards than official wins.

Robert Covington scored 23 points for the Sixers.

Bryant’s Lakers sink to 2-15, giving them the worst record in the West. They work on breaking a seven-game skid, now tied for a league-worst losing streak with the Denver Nuggets, in Washington on Wednesday night.

“I knew I had to be better because of Kobe Bryant”, James said.

The Sixers shot 43.8 percent from 3-point range (14-for-32), limited their turnovers to 16 and held a 44-34 edge in points in the paint and a 12-0 advantage in fast-break points.

The “retirement tour” passes through DC tonight, where Bryant will play his last game at the Verizon Center against the Wizards (barring an extremely improbably Lakers-Wizards Finals).

Sixers coach Brett Brown was asked before the game if rookie C Jahlil Okafor, who has been involved in three off-court incidents so far this season, will now have a bodyguard with him, as has been reported.

The hero returning to his hometown one final time, Kobe Bryant was greeted by a roaring standing ovation from the Philadelphia crowd as his name was called for starting lineups. “I try not to be”. “We moved the ball, got it to him, but there were some that weren’t good shots, and I think he would agree with that”.

Before the match, Bryant was the last player in the Lakers’ starting line-up to be announced and the crowed cheered loudly for him, chanting “Kobe!” non-stop.

Forward Julius Randle added 10 first-half points and guard Lou Williams, a former Sixer, added nine as Los Angeles took a 58-50 lead.

The Wolves had chances to take the lead on their next three possessions, but Zach LaVine missed a long 3-point jumper and Wiggins drive to the rim was blocked.

Wall was 14 of 24 from the field and had 10 assists. Russell, the No. 2 pick of the 2015 Draft, finished with 12 points (5-of-14), which included the first dunk of his career – a one-handed hammer.

The Magic almost led the entire game, Minnesota scored the first basket of the game but was never able to regain the lead after that.