Bab 85: Black Mamba Night
"Mom!"
"Ah, Carlos, my dear son—"
"By the way, Mom, what are you up to?!"
"Just got up, going to school for class in a while, and making lunch now."
Carlos then realized that, due to the time difference, it was already noon in Mexico. He smiled and said, "The weather is getting colder; Mom, make sure to wear more clothes, okay?"
"No need to say that, my dear. The weather here is still very good, sunny and bright."
"Hehe, still, be careful and avoid catching a cold... By the way, Mom, I won't be able to come back to accompany you for Christmas this year."
After a slight hesitation, Carlos finally said it.
"No problem..."
On the other end of the phone, Carlos's mother, using the hands-free mode, was cooking lunch and laughed, "My son is no longer a child; he's a big star now, very busy."
"A big star?"
Carlos was taken aback.
"Hehe!"
His mother laughed and said, "I know all about your endorsement with Adidas. You're the spokesperson for Adidas, and soon, your photos will be everywhere on the square and mall screens. Isn't that a big star? Also, your popularity in the NBA, Mom knows. My son is amazing now. Oh... the bread got burnt, hehe... Mom was too busy chatting with you."
"Hehe—"
Seeing his mother so happy and optimistic, Carlos felt relieved and said, "Mom, I'll definitely come back when I have time. When you have time off, you can also come and visit, okay?"
"Okay, okay, I know!"
They chatted for a long time, until his mother went to school, before Carlos hung up the phone.
"In the basketball profession, although there's a lot of free time during the off-season, as soon as the season starts, almost half the year is restricted. No, I can't let Mom be like this all the time. I must find a suitable opportunity to bring Mom over to stay."
Thinking about this, Carlos had another thing on his mind.
...
The Suns vs. Lakers matchup is tomorrow night. Tonight...
The Lakers have another home game against the Grizzlies.
At 8 p.m...
The game began.
The Grizzlies are a typical defense-oriented team, with Randolph and Gasol in the paint, forming a formidable defensive duo.
Power forward Arthur is also a defensive stalwart. Add Rudy Gay, who can drive and shoot, and point guard Mike Conley, who can drive and organize. It can be said that the Grizzlies' lineup is perfect.
However...
The defending champion Lakers' lineup is also extremely powerful, with Pau Gasol, Odom, and Bynum providing strong defense, protecting the boards, and giving Kobe unlimited shooting opportunities.
However...
Tonight, the elder brother was locked down by the younger brother. Gasol suppressed Pau Gasol in the paint, and Randolph also managed to win against Bynum. The Lakers' frontcourt had no advantage.
The "Black and White Bears" showcased their dominance, roaring in the paint and scoring frequently.
At the end of the first quarter...
The Grizzlies led by more than 7 points. Kobe scored 8 points in the first quarter, hitting 1 three-pointer, but couldn't lead the team to victory.
In the second quarter...
The Grizzlies, getting more and more excited, continued their onslaught. The "Black and White Bears" in the paint kept exploding, and Gay and Conley on the perimeter also contributed points, creating a situation where both inside and outside were scoring. In just half a quarter, the point difference widened to 13 points.
The Lakers... seemed to be on the verge of collapse.
"Bleep bleep!"
Zen Master Phil Jackson quickly called a timeout to ease the situation.
Coming back from the timeout...
"Clang!"
Old fish Fisher missed a three-pointer.
Gay initiated a fast break, and with a three-point shot, the basketball pierced the net, increasing the point difference to 16.
"Boom!"
The atmosphere in the home team's arena exploded.
The Lakers collapsing?
The hearts of Lakers fans were filled with worry. However, just when everyone thought the Lakers were going to lose tonight, Kobe Bryant stepped up.
"Swoosh!"
Three three-pointers, three shots, three hits.
Kobe activated his personal comeback mode, hitting four three-pointers in a single quarter, scoring 18 points. At halftime, he led the team to narrow the 16-point gap to 8 points.
And as the second half unfolded...
Entering the battlefield once again, it seemed like Kobe's solo scoring exhibition. Breakaway dunks, quick-stop jumpers, precise three-pointers, fadeaways after backing down—every conceivable offensive move, this man could execute.
In a single quarter, Kobe hit 5 three-pointers, scoring a staggering 25 points. Almost single-handedly, he led the team to overturn a 16-point deficit and take a 3-point lead.
After three quarters...
Kobe thundered with 51 points, making 10 three-pointers.
"Boom!"
The entire arena erupted again, and fans went wild. However, this time, the frenzy was no longer among the Grizzlies fans but the purple-clad Lakers faithful.
The home court atmosphere was explosive.
In the final quarter...
Kobe, still on the court, continued to navigate through tight defenses, hitting 2 three-pointers in just 5 minutes and 13 seconds, adding another 10 points.
Simultaneously...
A 17-4 counterattack storm was unleashed, handing the Grizzlies a devastating blow.
From initially trailing by 16 points to ultimately leading by 16 points, the Lakers staged a formidable 32-point comeback, bewildering the Grizzlies and decisively winning the game.
"Wow—"
As the game entered garbage time, on the commentary desk, Van Gundy roared, "Kobe Bryant tonight is like the god of basketball, sinking 12 three-pointers and scoring an astonishing 61 points with 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals.
12 three-pointers + 60 points!
Kobe, the first 'Mr. 60 Points' of the season, with the prowess of the 'Number One in the League,' tells the Grizzlies and the entire league that they are the defending champions and the strongest!
At the same time...
Kobe, who hit 12 three-pointers tonight, surpasses Marshall to become the first player in NBA history to hit 12 three-pointers in a single game twice. 'Black Mamba'... cool!"
"Boom!"
As Van Gundy finished his emphatic statement, the entire arena resounded with deafening cheers. Even many Grizzlies fans, after accepting the fact of defeat, applauded for Kobe.
"MVP!"
"MVP!"
In the instant the game ended, the entire arena echoed with cheers of "MVP," a celebration belonging to Kobe. Hitting 12 three-pointers, scoring 61 points, leading the team to overturn a 16-point deficit—an almost perfect performance made this night the "Black Mamba Night."
However...
Kobe's outstanding performance seemed like a challenge!
Next up was the showdown between the Suns and the Lakers!
PERTIMBANGAN PENCIPTA 
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