Kobe Bryant (photo. Chris Sembrot)

It’s hard to say someone saved your ass when you drop 40, but seriously, Andrew Bynum saved Kobe’s ass last night. As Bryant (14-for-31 from the field) was busy playing keep-away from every other person in the arena during overtime of the Lakers 90-87 win in Utah, Bynum won it for him by snuffing Al Jefferson right at the rim in the closing seconds. Kobe said he’d be ready for Raja Bell and he was. Almost too ready. After Josh Howard (18 points) and Paul Millsap (29 points, nine boards) made game-tying shots late, Bryant shot an air ball (something he’s been doing late in Utah since his rookie year) at the end of regulation and despite his unreal performance for most of the night, it seemed like the only time Kobe passed it late came when he sent it to the corner in overtime, and Pau Gasol banged a trey … Philly finally lost a game, 85-79, to a team in New York that desperately needed a W. Down four in the final minutes, Philly got themselves a nice open J for Thaddeus Young who short-armed it. Sixers color man Malik Rose sounded like he had an orgasm when the shot fell short. Then when Jrue Holiday shot a brick to end it, Rose threw out a really awkward groan. Oh so close, Malik … The Sixers screwed themselves right from the start, going seven minutes in the first half without a score before finally, Landry Fields decided to show everyone he can play point, and got ripped and then committed an offensive foul against Holiday on back-to-back trips upcourt … Amar’e Stoudemire (20 points, 10 rebounds) and Carmelo Anthony (27 points, nine rebounds) and … Josh Harrellson (13 points) did work for the Knicks … Iman Shumpert was eating small pieces of watermelon before the game for the cramps hes been dealing with since high school … We like how someone in Chicago brainwashed John Lucas into believing he was Derrick Rose for a night. With the MVP sidelined, Lucas (11-for-28, 25 points, eight rebounds, eight assists) threw up shots all night and yet totally outplayed John Wall (11 points, eight assists) in Chicago’s 14-point win. It must’ve been a point guard thing because Mike James – fresh outta the D-League – got a shot up within 10 seconds of entering the game. He was also wearing a No. 14 jersey with no name on it … About the only positive thing Wall had going for him were two big lefty dunks, one where his knee almost re-aligned Lucas’ face …Danilo Gallinari (22 points) paced six Nuggets in double figures as Denver blasted New Jersey with 123 points in their eight-point win … OKC and Kevin Durant (29 points, 10 rebounds) won their fifth game in six days by 10 in New Orleans. Carl Landry (17 points) had his Bugaloo going last night. He shot three air balls. You almost have to try to do that … In what might’ve been his best game since he was stealing teammates’ wives back in Phoenix (We’ve got jokes. Obviously the rumors weren’t true, and when we asked Nash about his favorite teammates of all time last week, Barbosa was actually the first name he mentioned… followed by Raja Bell and Grant Hill), Leandro Barbosa had 24 points off the bench, but the Raptors had no one to counter DeMarcus Cousins and his near 20/20 game (21 and 19) as the Kings won by seven … Tony Parker (28 points, eight assists) and the Spurs had eight straight points late, culminating in a shot clock-beating, 17-foot leaner that Parker just threw up, to send the Spurs and Rockets to overtime. Once there, the Spurs survived some sniper shots from Kyle Lowry (22 points), and Houston finally succumbed when Chandler Parsons and then Lowry missed back-to-back gimmes in the closing seconds … And the Grizzlies went to Benihana to celebrate Tony Allen‘s birthday. Everyone was there, even Zach Randolph who was rolling with his crutches. This seems like just the sort of thing that could turn Memphis’ season around: a night out at Benihana’s. All kinds of foolishness probably ensued. We love how Hamed Haddadi‘s head looks twice as big as anyone else’s … We’re out like Lucas’ conscience.

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