Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant is undoubtedly someone any team would want to have in the clutch. He is unafraid of taking the big shots, especially when the game is on the line.
Before his retirement, the Black Mamba had a lot of great moments in the NBA. Here are some of the best game-winners that the five-time NBA champion had.
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1. Game-winner vs the Miami Heat in December 2009.
Bryant was never spared from having a bad game. One happened in 2009 when the Lakers faced the Miami Heat.
However, the points that mattered came from Bryant nevertheless. Down by two, 105-107, and with 3.2 seconds left, Kobe converts on a shot despite the pesky defense of Dwyane Wade.
Although he was forced farther from the basket, Bryant banked a three-pointer as time expired to lift the Lakers over a surging Miami Heat to win the game, 108-107.
2. Kobe frustrated the Celtics with a game-winning shot in 2010.
Nothing could be sweeter for the Lakers than winning over the Boston Celtics right on their own floor. Bryant had one of those in 2010.
Down 88-89, Bryant defied the defensive efforts of Ray Allen and made a fadeaway jumper that sealed the game for the Lakers. Bryant finished with 19 points in that clash despite struggling from the field, 8-for-20 per NBA.com.
3. How Kobe stole Christmas from the Nuggets in 2003.
In 2003, the Lakers faced the Carmelo Anthony-led Denver Nuggets on December 19. With the score tied at 99-all, Bryant saved the day anew.
He made a pump fake, eluding his defender, and got off the game-winning shot for the 101-99 victory. Bryant finished with 13 points on 5 of 14 shooting from the field, per ESPN.
4. Kobe saved the Lakers from the Spurs in the 2002 playoffs.
Kobe Bryant will never think twice about shooting the ball, even after an error. This best describes him when the Lakers faced the San Antonio Spurs on May 12, 2002.
Bryant redeemed himself after bouncing the ball off his foot. It was recovered by Derek Fisher, who would attempt a shot. But with time still on the clock, Bryant went in to collar the offensive rebound and convert on the marginal basket, 87-85. That victory gave the Lakers a commanding 3-1 lead over the Spurs in the Western Conference semifinals via USA Today.
5. Bryant's double-dagger against the Blazers in April 2004.
Bryant is the kind of player who can save his team twice in one night. This best describes his efforts in April 2004 against the Portland Trail Blazers.
He was responsible for the game-tying three-pointer in regulation despite the defensive efforts of Ruben Patterson. That shot was so difficult that most hardly gave it a chance. The miracle shot tied the game at 87-all, sending the game into overtime.
It took two extra periods to decide the outcome. In the end, it was Kobe Bryant once more. After getting the inbound pass from Gary Payton, Bryant heaved a three-pointer to lead the Lakers to a 105-104 win over a stunned Blazers team.
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