Lakers fight but fall short in Chicago
- Updated: February 22, 2016
The Kobe Bryant farewell tour rolled around to Chicago as the Los Angeles Lakers visited the Chicago Bulls but it was the Bulls who came away with the 126-115 win.
The injury-ravaged Bulls had E’Twaun Moore starting in place of All-Star Jimmy Butler as he dropped 24 points on 10-14 (4-4 from deep) shooting as the Bulls from 55.7% from long range to see off the Lakers.
Prior to the game, Pau introduced Kobe for the final time at the United Center in a touching moment for the championship teammates.
As the scoreline suggested, the contest certainly had its lack of defense in stretches as it felt like an All-Star game at times. The Bulls led 31-30 after the first quarter with Pau Gasol leading the way for the Bulls with 10 points. D’Angelo Russell and Julius Randle combined for 16 of the Lakers 30 opening quarter points with eight apiece before the Chicago bench created a bit of space between the two teams in the second quarter, thanks to Bobby Portis.
Portis, who had only made eight three pointers for the entire season, hit 3-3 from long range to get the Bulls fans on their feet.
The Lakers managed to peg back the margin to four as the two teams headed to the locker room for the half time interval.
The Bryant show commenced following the break, as Bryant started hot on 4/4 shooting including a couple of vintage fadeaway that got the crowd into the game. However the Bulls, looking to avoid a sixth straight defeat, would not be deterred as they went on a 12-1 run to close out the quarter to lead by 16 with one quarter to play.
The Lakers, led by Jordan Clarkson rallied to get back into the game and managed to trim the Bulls lead to three with five minutes to play.
“Kobe” chants rang around the United Centre as they demanded to see the legend for one final time and they got their wish as Bryant came in to try and steal a win in his final appearance in the Windy City however it was not to be as the Bulls pulled away to register their first win in six games.
Bryant finished with 22 points on 8-10 (1-7 3FG) shooting while Clarkson had 20 points (7-16), nine rebounds and four assists. Randle finished with 22 points – one shy of his career high – and 12 rebounds in 32 minutes.
The Lakers now fall to 11-45 on the season as they head to Milwaukee to take on the Bucks tomorrow night.
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