Los Angeles Lakers Kobe Bryant (left) puts up a shot over the defence of Indiana Pacers Jermaine O'Neal during their NBA game in Los Angeles on Monday night. Bryant scored 45 points in the Lakers' 96-90 win. - REUTERS
LOS ANGELES (AP):
KOBE BRYANT scored 45 points, making him the first player to score at least that many in four consecutive games in more than 41 years, and the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Indiana Pacers 96-90 for their third straight victory in the NBA on Monday night.
The last player to score at least 45 or more points in four consecutive games was Wilt Chamberlain in November 1964, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
Bryant had 45 on December 28 against Memphis, 48 last Friday against Philadelphia, and 50 on Saturday against the Clippers.
Bryant scored 17 points in the fourth quarter, reaching 45 by making two free throws with 9.6 seconds left. He also had 10 rebounds and five assists. He had become the first player with at least 45 in three straight games since Michael Jordan in 1990.
Jermaine O'Neal led the Pacers (18-14) with 24 points and 16 rebounds. Anthony Johnson added 14 points and rookie Danny Granger had 12 points and nine rebounds.
