However, as his stamina drained and the Pacers tightened their perimeter defense, Artest and Su Xi frequently double-teamed him.
Kobe faced unprecedented defensive pressure.
His shooting percentage plummeted.
Finally, with 1:17 left in the game, Phil Jackson called a timeout, signaling the start of garbage time.
At that point, the Pacers were up by 15.
"Kenny, I have to admit, you really know your basketball. Once you set aside your personal grudges, you can predict the game's outcome objectively and accurately," Charles Barkley said, sincerely complimenting Smith.
Smith grinned from ear to ear.
Inside, however, he was cursing up a storm.
'What the hell is this? I can't criticize him, and I can't praise him. How does he always manage to win?'
'How did the Lakers get so completely shut down? Can they even make a comeback?'
