Game 2 (Lakers win, 98-89) 2001 finals vs sixers
Statistics: 47 MIN, 11-23 FG, 1-2 3FG, 8-8 FT, 8 REB, 6 AST, 2 STL, 2 BLK, 2 TO, 31 PTS
Coming off of perhaps his worst overall Finals effort, Kobe would turn in one of his best. Again playing all but one minute of the game, Bryant would score early and often in an attempt to forget his Game 1 performance.
LA would build a double-digit lead early, on the strength of Kobe's 12 first quarter points. Along with his game-high point total, Bryant would bounce back from his poor defensive effort in Game 1, holding Iverson to 10-29 shooting for only 23 points.
The Game 2 victory tied the series at 1-1, and displayed Bryant's ability to dominate at both ends of the court.
Game 3 (Lakers win, 96-91) 2001 finals vs sixers
Statistics: 48 MIN, 13-30 FG, 0-2 3FG, 6-6 FT, 6 REB, 3 AST, 2 STL, 0 BLK, 3 TO, 32 PTS
Once again displaying supreme will and endurance, Kobe Bryant would play in every minute of Game 3.
This game was most notable as Kobe's return to his hometown of Philadelphia. Eager to show his ability in front of his family and friends, Bryant would shoot 10-16 in the opening half, including a stretch in which he scored on five straight offensive possessions.
Despite cooling off considerably in the second half, Kobe would help lead the Lakers to victory after Shaq fouled out with 2 minutes to play. Finding Robert Horry for multiple clutch baskets, Bryant, the game's leading scorer, would help to regain homecourt advantage in the series.
Game 4 (Lakers win, 100-86) finals vs sixers
Statistics: 43 MIN, 6-13 FG, 0-2 3FG, 7-12 FT, 10 REB, 9 AST, 1 STL, 1 BLK, 19 PTS
In the most impressive Laker victory of the series, Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal made good on Kobe's promise to "cut their hearts out."
Led by O'Neal's 34 points and Bryant's near-triple double, Los Angeles pushed the 76ers to the brink of elimination.
As Phil Jackson noted after the game, Kobe Bryant was possibly the best player on the floor, finishing one assist shy of a triple double, and providing stifling defense on Iverson, who scored 35 points on 12-30 shooting. Jackson also noted that Kobe seemed to be the key to the series, as the Lakers had only won when he had played well.