Slump Continues, but Bryant Makes a Contribution

The six-week long shooting slump of Kobe Bryant continued Sunday, when he missed seven of nine shots. But he made a key offensive contribution for one of the few times since the All-Star break: the four free throws in the final 34 seconds that clinched the Lakers’ 96-93 victory over the Sacramento Kings.

Doing his best to remain positive, even as the tailspin has hit 35.2% over the last 22 games and 28.4% the last 14, the events of the final minute mean he won’t have to search so hard.

“I knew I was going to make them,” said Bryant, who made eight of his 12 free throws to finish with 12 points. “I had a lot of confidence in myself. When my so-called slump has ended, I’ll know I continued to perform in other parts of my game. That’s a good thing.”

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The rematch with the SuperSonics on Friday passed without incident, meaning Gary Payton and Robert Horry never came close to continuing their run-in that started Monday, despite Payton’s claim “everything is going to come back to somebody, and he and I will work it out when the time comes.”

Said Laker Coach Del Harris, wondering why the SuperSonics were so upset in the first place: “Robert is a kind guy. He’s been in the league all these years. When’s he gone out of his way to hurt anybody? I mean, he might throw a towel in your face. But it wouldn’t be a brick.”

TONIGHT

at Denver

6

Channel 9

Site--McNichols Arena.

Radio--KLAC (570).

Records--Lakers 48-19, Nuggets 8-61.

Record vs. Nuggets--3-0.

Update--The Nuggets are on fire. They have won three of their last six games and made it to overtime in one of the losses.