Kobe Bryant’s final game in Boston didn’t get off to the best start. He missed his first eight shots against the Celtics tonight.
But Kobe hit a huge, deep 3-pointer with 1:40 left to put the Lakers up five.
That was the final made shot of the game, as the teams exchanged free throws from there. The Lakers won, 112-104.
Boston fans chanted Kobe’s name, some of them no doubt Lakers partisans. But it’s hardly unprecedented for Celtics fans to cheer Kobe, even before his retirement announcement.
Kobe still has incredible confidence. That’s why he took and made that shot.
It’s also why he shot 5-of-18 to score 15 points.