Kobe Erupts for 45, but Suns Prevail Behind Durant Double-Double - BullsClips's Dynasty

BullsClips's Dynasty Blog

Kobe Erupts for 45, but Suns Prevail Behind Durant Double-Double

Posted on May 30, 2011 at 03:58 PM.

(0)

PHOENIX, Ariz. � Memphis Grizzlies superstar Kobe Bryant exploded for 45 points on 18-34 shooting (including 7-12 from beyond the arc), but it wasn�t enough for the visitors, as they fell to the Phoenix Suns 103-95 in Phoenix on Friday night.

Kevin Durant flexed his muscle for the Suns as he posted 28 points and a career-high 15 rebounds for his second double-double of the year as Phoenix improved to 5-0 on the young season.

�That kid can play, man,� a dejected Kobe Bryant, referring to Durant, said to reporters following his season-high 45 points in defeat. �He was a beast on the boards and really came through for his team tonight. We are struggling a bit right now, but things will come together for us. I look forward to the rematch next week with these guys, next time we will come out on top, I guarantee it.�

This was a game of spurts, as so many games are, and the Grizzlies made a big 10-2 run to cut into the deficit and cut the lead to three points at the break. Memphis continued on the comeback trail, eventually pulling ahead 59-58 on the back of a 12-4 run capped off by a Trevor Ariza layup with 5:20 remaining in the third.

The Suns answered back with a large run of their own, outscoring the visitors 16-3 to grab a 74-62 lead, thanks to 10 straight points by Durant.

It seemed as though Pheonix was going to coast to victory, but then Bryant exploded. He scored 29 of his 45 points in the second half, including 12 straight points to bring the Grizzlies within six at 96-90.

�You have to give them credit,� Durant stated after the Suns fifth consecutive win. �They just wouldn�t go away. Kobe (Bryant) was unstoppable at times, man, but we were able to hold on, and I am getting used to this winning thing. We have a tough matchup in Atlanta, and that is now our focus.�

Durant hit a three-pointer in the corner to halt the run, and the Grizzlies momentum and the Suns were able to pull out the eight point victory.

The Grizzlies (2-4) will continue on their road trip to take on Tim Duncan, Vince Carter and the Sacramento Kings tomorrow night at Arco Arena at 7:30 p.m. PT. The Suns will hit the road for two games, starting Sunday at 3 p.m. MT at the Phillips Arena in Atlanta against Carlos Boozer, Rudy Gay and the 3-3 Hawks.

Nov 5, 2010 - MEM at PHX
TEAM	1ST	2ND	3RD	4TH	SCORE
Memphis Grizzlies (2-4)	18	27	17	33	95
Phoenix Suns (5-0)	22	26	26	29	103

Memphis Grizzlies
STARTERS	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
Tony Parker	32	4-10	0-0	0-2	3	11	2	0	3	8
Kobe Bryant	33	18-34	7-12	2-3	6	3	3	0	1	45
Trevor Ariza	31	8-16	2-4	2-3	8	1	2	0	0	20
David Lee	29	3-9	0-0	0-0	3	1	3	0	0	6
Shaquille O'Neal	30	3-6	0-1	2-2	7	1	0	3	0	8
BENCH	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
Sasha Vujacic	7	2-6	1-3	0-0	1	0	0	0	0	5
Al Harrington	16	1-4	0-2	1-2	1	0	0	0	0	3
Nikola Pekovic	5	0-1	0-0	0-0	1	1	0	0	0	0
Quincy Pondexter	1	0-1	0-0	0-0	3	0	0	0	0	0
Samardo Samuels	3	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Jarrett Jack	12	0-4	0-1	0-0	1	5	2	0	3	0
Elliot Williams - DNP	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
TEAM TOTALS		39-91	10-23	7-12	34	23	12	3	7	95

Phoenix Suns
STARTERS	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
Mike Conley	27	4-8	1-1	2-2	0	11	1	1	6	11
Marcus Thornton	29	9-17	3-7	2-2	6	0	1	0	3	23
Kevin Durant	33	12-23	2-4	2-2	15	3	1	0	2	28
Dirk Nowitzki	30	6-17	0-1	3-3	9	3	0	3	1	15
Tyson Chandler	30	3-3	0-0	0-1	4	4	1	0	0	6
BENCH	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
Nick Young	13	2-4	1-1	0-0	4	0	0	0	1	5
Kirk Hinrich	14	3-5	0-0	0-0	3	9	2	0	1	6
Omer Asik	8	0-0	0-0	0-0	3	0	0	0	0	0
Thabo Sefalosha	4	0-1	0-1	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Brandon Bass	13	3-3	0-0	1-1	4	0	1	0	0	7
James Jones	3	1-1	0-0	0-0	1	0	0	0	0	2
Daniel Gibson - DNP	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
TEAM TOTALS		43-82	7-15	10-11	49	30	7	4	14	103