Portland Trail Blazers vs Los Angeles Lakers
9:30 PM ET, March 20, 2011
STAPLES Center, Los Angeles, CA
Despite being bothered by a sore ankle and now a stiff neck, Kobe Bryant promises he'll play when the Los Angeles Lakers host Portland on Sunday night.
He certainly was ready the last time he saw the Trail Blazers.
Bryant had 37 points in an overtime victory at Portland last month, a performance the Lakers would love to see him channel in this potential playoff preview as they seek a 12th win in 13 games.
Bryant has been dealing with a sore ankle, but that hasn't been enough to slow Los Angeles (49-20). The Lakers bounced back from a 94-88 loss at Miami on March 10 -- their lone defeat since the All-Star break -- with strong defensive performances in home wins over Dallas and Orlando, overcoming subpar shooting from Bryant.
The Lakers' superstar had another rough time against Minnesota on Friday, shooting 6 for 17 and taking a shot in the jaw from Martell Webster's head in a fourth-quarter collision. Los Angeles prevailed 106-98 thanks to 25 points from Pau Gasol, and Bryant pronounced himself good to go for Sunday.
"I can take a hit," said Bryant, who's been held under 20 points in three straight games for the first time since Jan. 10-13, 2010. "It was just that my neck snapped back. My neck is pretty stiff right now. ... I'm trying to work through it, that's all.
He certainly was ready the last time he saw the Trail Blazers.
Bryant had 37 points in an overtime victory at Portland last month, a performance the Lakers would love to see him channel in this potential playoff preview as they seek a 12th win in 13 games.
Bryant has been dealing with a sore ankle, but that hasn't been enough to slow Los Angeles (49-20). The Lakers bounced back from a 94-88 loss at Miami on March 10 -- their lone defeat since the All-Star break -- with strong defensive performances in home wins over Dallas and Orlando, overcoming subpar shooting from Bryant.
The Lakers' superstar had another rough time against Minnesota on Friday, shooting 6 for 17 and taking a shot in the jaw from Martell Webster's head in a fourth-quarter collision. Los Angeles prevailed 106-98 thanks to 25 points from Pau Gasol, and Bryant pronounced himself good to go for Sunday.
"I can take a hit," said Bryant, who's been held under 20 points in three straight games for the first time since Jan. 10-13, 2010. "It was just that my neck snapped back. My neck is pretty stiff right now. ... I'm trying to work through it, that's all.
Watch Portland Trail Blazers vs Los Angeles Lakers Live Online Stream Free March 20, 2011
