Bobcats get by Lakers in triple-overtime

12.29.2006

Charlotte, NC (Basketball News) - Gerald Wallace scored 28 points and Emeka Okafor posted 22 points and a franchise-record 25 rebounds in the first triple-overtime game for the Bobcats, who downed the Los Angeles Lakers, 133-124, for the franchise record in points scored in a game.

Smush Parker hit a jumper with 46.4 seconds left in regulation to put LA ahead by three, but Wallace drove the lane and converted a three-point play with 43 seconds remaining to tie the score.

Kobe Bryant misfired on a jumper on the ensuing possession but LA got the rebound to hold for the final shot. Bryant missed everything on a jumper from the top of the key at the buzzer to send the game into overtime.

Maurice Evans scored a jumper with 35.8 seconds left to tie the score at 113, but Raymond Felton missed a pair of jumpers on the final possession to send the game into double-OT.

Bryant hit a free throw with 59.5 seconds left to tie the game at 117. Felton then drilled a three with 35.6 seconds on the clock, but Bryant drained one of his own with 21.6 seconds remaining to re-tie the game. Felton missed a runner in the lane, and the Lakers had 2.2 seconds with which to work a final shot.

Bryant fouled Derek Anderson, who converted three free throws to make it a five-point game, and then committed an offensive foul to prompt his exit from the game. Matt Carroll answered with a pair of free throws with 26.5 seconds left to seal the win.

Carroll scored a career-high 27 points and grabbed eight rebounds for the Bobcats, who snapped a three-game losing streak. Felton notched 22 points and 15 assists.

Bryant scored a season-high 58 points for the Lakers, who have split their six-game road trip. Luke Walton posted 14 points and 11 boards, and Parker added 12 points. Kwame Brown contributed 11 points and 15 rebounds.

LA outscored Charlotte 30-18 in the first quarter, but the Bobcats opened the second on a 15-4 run capped by a pair of Ely free throws with 9:12 remaining to make it a one-point game. The teams were knotted at 60 at halftime.

Charlotte scored one more than LA in the third for an 86-85 lead heading into the fourth.

Game Notes

Los Angeles went 1-1 against the Bobcats last season and has won three of the five all-time meetings. Attendance was a Bobcats Arena-record 19,561.

LAL CHL

Post your comment:

No profanity or inaproppriate remarks. All i.p. addresses will be saved and abuse/hate posts will be reported to providers and authorities as part of the anti-spam act of 2003, thank you for posting comments on the articles only.