The headlines spoke for themselves during the March 4, 2012 showdown at Staples Center between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Miami Heat, in one of the most high-profile NBA matchups of the year. Not only did this mean Kobe Bryant was facing LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, but there was also some hostility in the media eyes following a recent trade.
Fresh off the All-Star break, Lakers fans loudly mocked Wade during his introduction and during every possession. This was due to Wade’s play on Bryant during the All-Star Game, which resulted in a broken nose.
It also didn’t help that Bryant suffered a concussion in that game in Orlando, in a game that many All-Stars considered an exhibition. However, two of the greatest shooters of all time saw this as another opportunity to clash, which continued in the March 4 affair.
Although the injury was unintentional, it led to Bryant revealing the “Masked Mamba”, a period in which he dominated the NBA while wearing a clear or black mask.
While Wade might have anticipated a little something extra as a means of retaliation, he and Bryant both admitted it would have been foolish not to expect anything but the best from the Lakers legend. Los Angeles delivered the first blow of the game, taking a 28-20 lead after the first quarter.
The starting lineup of Bryant, Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum, Metta World Peace and Derek Fisher was a battle-tested group, compiling a 22-14 record thus far in a lockout-shortened season . However, James, Wade, Mario Chalmers, Joel Antony and Udonis Haslem were formidable opponents.
The Heat’s biggest loss was in the paint, with Chris Bosh not dressing to attend his grandmother’s funeral. That meant an ideal scenario for the twin towers of Gasol and Bynum, who would combine for 27 points, 23 rebounds and five blocks.
Trailing 50-38 before halftime, the Heat just didn’t seem up to the task on a cross-country road trip to California. In fact, the Lakers would never relinquish their lead over the final 44 minutes of the contest, with Bryant quashing any legitimate comeback attempts.
World Peace also deserves credit for his defensive efforts against James, while contributing 17 points, seven rebounds, three assists and four steals. The Lakers remained on cruise control in the second half, finishing off the Heat with a 93-83 victory.
Kobe Bryant and the Lakers took care of business at home
Bryant put together his third straight 30-point game while wearing the mask, scoring 33 points on 14-of-23 shooting. The confines of Staples Center were a welcome sight for the Lakers, who improved their home record this season at 17-2.
