Kobe Bryant carries Lakers to win after passing Jordan
The Lakers' Kobe Bryant waves to the crowd after passing Michael Jordan on the all-time scoring list with a free throw in the second quarter at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minn.
HANNAH FOSLIEN , GETTY IMAGES
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MINNEAPOLIS - After Kobe Bryant slid into third place on the NBA's all-time scoring list, there was really only one thing left for the Lakers ' superstar to do.
Carry his team to a win.
Bryant buried a 3-pointer with 1:02 left in the fourth quarter to break a tie and propel the Lakers to a 100-94 win over the Timberwolves.
The Lakers (8-16) have won three in a row and will turn around and play at Indiana on Monday.
Bryant finished with 27 points, and completed his long-anticipated chase of Jordan's 32,292 career points with 5:24 left in the fourth quarter when he buried a pair of free throws.
The game was stopped for a brief acknowledgement of the milestone, and Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor presented Bryant with the game ball at center court.
After building a 10-point lead in the third quarter, late in the game it appeared that Bryant's milestone might not be paired with a victory.
Before Bryant's final 3-pointer, the Wolves went on an 11-4 run, capped by a pair of free throws by Andrew Wiggins, to tie the game at 94.
Wiggins, the No. 1 pick in June's draft, scored 16 points, but for the second time in two games between the Lakers and Wolves, it was a former UCLA star who stole the show.
Last month, it was rookie Zach LaVine who erupted against Bryant. On Monday, Shabazz Muhammad scored a game-high 28 points.
While it was Bryant's night, Carlos Boozer also continued his recent run of strong play since being moved to the bench, finishing with 22 points and 13 rebounds in 27 minutes.
Two nights after hitting the game-winner in San Antonio and nicknamed himself 'I.D.M.' (I don't miss), Nick Young struggled from the floor, shooting 2-of-9 and scoring just seven points.
Contact the writer: boram@ocregister.com
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