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Williams and Sixers beat Bryant and Lakers

When Kobe Bryant has it going the way he did Monday night at the Wells Fargo Center, it's sort of like the old saying in boxing that everybody has a plan until they get punched.

The 76ers shut down Kobe Bryant and the Lakers in the fourth quarter in Monday's win. (Yong Kim/Staff Photographer)
The 76ers shut down Kobe Bryant and the Lakers in the fourth quarter in Monday's win. (Yong Kim/Staff Photographer)Read more

When Kobe Bryant has it going the way he did Monday night at the Wells Fargo Center, it's sort of like the old saying in boxing that everybody has a plan until they get punched.

Bryant, returning home, hit the 76ers with 24 points in the first half, along the way bumping former teammate Shaquille O'Neal out of the way to become the fifth-leading scorer in NBA history. However, it was not enough to throw the Sixers off their game plan, especially with Lou Williams taking over late to lead the Sixers to a 95-90 come-from-behind victory over the Los Angeles Lakers at the sold-out Wells Fargo Center.

Williams scored 14 of his team-high 24 points in the fourth quarter, including 12 of the Sixers' final 15 points in the final 3 minutes, 48 seconds. During this stretch, the Sixers (18-7) went from trailing by 88-84 to an improbable victory that had the arena rocking, rolling, and pulsating in what felt like a playoff game because of its intensity.

Sixers observers often ask management whether it needs a closer. But in the team's locker room, players were telling reporters that those people need to stop looking and open their eyes.

"Lou came in and hit everything we needed late to get the win," center Spencer Hawes said. "He's our closer. When he comes in there at the end with his ability to make plays, he's a tough matchup for anybody."

Williams, along with Andre Iguodala, may be selected as a reserve on the Eastern Conference all-star team. However, on Monday night, Williams just wanted to focus on the team's next game, Wednesday against San Antonio.

And when somebody mentioned his name in the same sentence as Bryant's, Williams said he just answered the challenge to produce every night when his team needs it.

"I like any challenge, especially when they are putting the ball in your hands and asking for big buckets," Williams said. "A game like this, it was a great win for us all. Hopefully, we can carry some momentum, especially going into a game Wednesday and the rest of the schedule.

"As far as mentioning my name with Kobe, I wouldn't put myself in the conversation with Kobe. Tonight I made shots at the end of the game. It was great for us and we're glad we were able to win."

And Iguodala played a major role in holding Bryant to just four points on 2-for-12 shooting in the second half.

Bryant, who surpassed O'Neal with 5:08 to play in the second quarter, had seemed unstoppable in the first half, when he was 8 for 14 from the field.

"'Dre was spectacular," Collins said of Iguodala's defense in the second half. "You have to be a strong-willed player to play against Kobe Bryant. Those kinds of players break your spirit when they hit the kinds of shots he was hitting in the first half."

Iguodala finished with 12 points, five rebounds, and four assists against Bryant.

"You never shut a guy like him down. You just do the best against him that you can and hope for the best result," Iguodala said.

The Sixers improved to 13-3 at home despite being outrebounded, 55-30. And they overcame good games out of the Lakers' twin 7-footers, Andrew Bynum (20 points and 20 rebounds) and Pau Gasol (16 points, 11 boards). They also helped their cause by turning the ball over just four times, a floor record for Wells Fargo.

"I told our guys that they just have to stay the course, and they did," Collins said.

Note. After the game, the Sixers were considering sending forward Tony Brackins to their D-League affiliate in Maine.

All-Time Scoring List

NBA

Player   Career Points

1. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar   3,8387

2. Karl Malone    36,928

3. Michael Jordan    32,292

4. Wilt Chamberlain    31,419

5. Kobe Bryant    28,601

6. Shaquille O'Neal    28,596

7. Moses Malone    27,409

8. Elvin Hayes    27,313

9. Hakeem Olajuwon    26,946

10. Oscar Robertson    26,710

NBA and ABA Combined

Player   Career Points

1. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar    38,387

2. Karl Malone   36,928

3. Michael Jordan    32,292

4. Wilt Chamberlain    31,419

5. Julius Erving    30,026

6. Moses Malone    29,580

7. Kobe Bryant    28,601

8. Shaquille O'Neal    28,596

9. Dan Issel    27,482

10. Elvin Hayes    27,313

Source: Basketball-reference.comEndText