Look out NBA – the Lakers are back at .500 and Kobe Bryant’s guaranty that they will be in the playoffs may be scaring opponents after their miserable start to the season. Three times in the last three minutes the Atlanta Hawks led, and all three times Bryant put the Lakers back on top with a slam, two free throws and finally a driving layup to finish with 34 points in the 99-98 win.
Dwight Howard did his part as well, dominating the glass with 15 rebounds and only having to go to the line twice despite playing 41 minutes including the last five.
The Hawks were led by Al Horford (24 points) and Josh Smith (19).
The Lakers have now won five of their last six to pull within 2 ½ games of Utah and Houston for the last playoff spot in the Western Conference. The Lakers next game will be their toughest as they travel to play defending Western Champs, Oklahoma City.
Click here for more details on the game from ESPN.
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