On Tuesday night, the Lake Show returned to its regularly scheduled programming.
Derek Fisher ran the point while his backcourt mate Kobe Bryant returned from a five-game absence to hit a game-winning three, and the Los Angeles Lakers topped the Memphis Grizzlies, 99-98.
D-Fish drained his shots when it counted, shooting 60 percent from the floor and an even better 66 percent from deep. He also found his teammates with several timely assists. But his most important dish came late.
With just under 2:30 to play, Memphis had opened a five-point lead. As Derek brought the ball up court, Bryant made a quick side cut and Fish hit him in stride. Kobe was able to pull up right away and swish a three to bring Los Angeles within two.
Derek’s other two assists came in the first quarter, finding Kobe and Pau Gasol in the early going.
But No. 2’s best sequence came when he hit back-to-back three pointers, cutting a five-point Memphis lead to just one in the third. From there, No. 2 left the heroics to Kobe and found him for an assist when it mattered.
On the evening Fish finished with 10 points, three assists, three steals, a Lakers win and most importantly a backcourt that is complete again.
NEXT UP
Before heading back to Hollywood, the Lakers make a quick stop in Dallas, facing a revamped Mavericks team for the first time.
Los Angeles holds a 2-1 series edge over Dallas this season, but those wins came before the Mavs did some trade deadline dealing that has spurred them to a four-game win streak heading into tonight’s game.
For the season, No. 2 is averaging six points, three rebounds, just over an assist and just under a steal per game against Dallas. Tip-off of the Wednesday night tilt is scheduled for 6 p.m. PST and the game can be seen nationwide on ESPN.
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In return from injury, Kobe hits go-ahead 3 to nip Grizzlies (NBA.com, Feb. 24, 2010)
http://www.nba.com/games/20100223/LALMEM/gameinfo.html#nbaGIboxscore