Kobe Bryant finished one assist shy of his career high and one rebound short of his second triple-double of the season, and the Los Angeles Lakers topped the Utah Jazz, 102-84, Friday.
Jazz vs. Lakers results: Kobe’s 14 assists guide L.A. to 102-84 win
Kobe Bryant had more assists than shot attempts in a real-life basketball game Friday.
Bryant finished with 14 points, 14 assists and nine rebounds. It was his first 14-assist game since Nov. 14, 2010, in which he picked up 25-14-9 against the Phoenix Suns. His career high is 15 dimes, which he recorded Feb. 12, 2002, against the Washington Wizards.
He picked up his 14th assist Friday with 1:26 to play on an and-one to Dwight Howard. Bryant was pulled from the game at the ensuing dead ball.
The Jazz were kept at a marginal but reasonable distance throughout Friday's game but never led. Utah didn't get any closer than four points at any point in the game's final 40 minutes. A Randy Foye three brought the game to 67-63 with 1:24 left in the third quarter, but Bryant picked up two of his assists on consecutive possessions — on a Metta World Peace 3-pointer and a Jodie Meeks dunk — to distance the Jazz to two possessions for the balance of the game.
Bryant was one of five Lakers in double figures Friday. Howard finished with 17 points and 13 boards.
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