Kobe Bryant 61 at The Garden Nike Commercial

NEW YORK — Kobe Bryant surpassed the Madison Square Garden record with 61 points, leading the Los Angeles Lakers past the New York Knicks 126-117 Monday night.

Bryant teased and pleased a capacity crowd of 19,763 that took turns booing him and saluting him with "M-V-P!" chants during an electrifying performance. He passed Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan's opponent record of 55 points at the present building, known as "Garden IV," when he made three free throws with 3:56 remaining, then bettered Bernard King's mark of 60, set on Christmas Day 1984, with two free throws with 2:33 to play.

Bryant, who posted the highest-scoring game in the league this season, left to a loud ovation after the 24th 50-point game of his career. It was also his fifth 40-point game at the Garden.

"It's a blessing to do what you love and to have moments like this," Bryant said.

"On a lighter note, I'm going to review this documentary I'm doing with Spike Lee tonight after the game and I didn't feel like sitting next to him and hearing him talking trash about the Knicks, so that was added incentive as well. Seriously. He's going to get an earful tonight."

Bryant went 19 of 31 from the field with an array of tough jumpers and powerful drives to the basket. He made all 20 of his free throws.

"We tried to do the rope-a-dope a little bit where he might shoot himself out, but he didn't," Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni said of Bryant. "He just kept on going."

Al Harrington scored 24 points, David Lee had 22 points and 12 rebounds and reserve Wilson Chandler added 20 points for the Knicks, who had won three in a row and six of seven, but didn't have the firepower to stay with the Western Conference leaders in the opener of their brutally tough week.

New York hosts Cleveland on Wednesday and Boston on Friday. It is the first time a team has played three consecutive regular-season games against opponents with .750 winning percentages after Feb. 1 since Boston did it in 1995, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

D'Antoni said the daunting slate would give the Knicks the chance to "elevate" their game."These will be three great games to do that and whatever happens, we'll spin it the best way we can," D'Antoni said before the game.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• kobe
• bryant
• nba
• los
• angeles
• lakers
• nike
• uptempo
• 2009
• champions
• finals

[DisgruntledBunny]

81 points unbelievable? Ur fired.

[13HoopStar13]

He did say 81. Stupid

[jayjkl]

lol sure..

[PCC9]

yeah the fucking people at Nike put the announcer saying EIGTHY ONE POINTS

fucking dumbasses

[triklops]

Does the speaker say "81" ???