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Kobe Bryant: Top five greatest performances vs Toronto Raptors

By Aditya Chandran

TORONTO, CANADA: Los Angeles Lakers Kobe Bryant drives to the hoop past Toronto Raptors forward Vince Carter during first half NBA action in Toronto, Canada, on 06 January, 2002. The Lakers defeated the Raptors 109 - 89. AFP PHOTO/J.P. Moczulski (Photo credit should read J.P. MOCZULSKI/AFP via Getty Images)
TORONTO, CANADA: Los Angeles Lakers Kobe Bryant drives to the hoop past Toronto Raptors forward Vince Carter during first half NBA action in Toronto, Canada, on 06 January, 2002. The Lakers defeated the Raptors 109 - 89. AFP PHOTO/J.P. Moczulski (Photo credit should read J.P. MOCZULSKI/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Kobe Bryant
LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 30: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts during the game against the Toronto Raptors at Staples Center on November 28, 2008 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images) /

5. February 1st, 2008

Final Score: Lakers 121 Raptors 101

Kobe Bryant Stats: 46 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal, 68 FG%

This year was special for Kobe Bryant. After Shaquille O’Neal left the Lakers, many felt Bryant couldn’t win a title without the big man. Bryant was looking for a chance to prove that he could lead a team to a title.

The first few years without Shaq were tough for Bryant, as he simply didn’t have the help he needed to take LA back to the promised land. But the summer prior to the 2007-08 season, the Lakers got Bryant the help he needed in the form of Pau Gasol. In this particular matchup, unfortunately, Bryant and the Lakers were without Gasol’s services. Because of that, Kobe had to do it mostly on his own.

The Raptors were a fringe playoff team, led by Chris Bosh and Andrea Bargnani. They struggled to stay above .500 for most of the season and ended up finishing sixth.

Toronto managed to keep it close for most of the game, but Bryant could not be stopped on the offensive end. His scoring numbers on the season had dropped a little after the arrival of Gasol, however, he always had that extra gear in him when his team needed it.

He torched the Raptors for 46 points on an extremely efficient 68 percent from the field. Everything was falling down for the black mamba and Toronto had no answer for him. What was even more impressive about this scoring outburst was the fact that he only attempted four free throws, showing you just how dominant he was.

In the end, the Lakers breezed by the Raptors and later would reach the NBA Finals where they would lose to the Boston Celtics.