In 2011, the Los Angeles Lakers were going for another three-peat, but they looked inconsistent and as if they were lacking motivation through the first half of the season.
But as winter turned into spring, the Purple and Gold started to kick it into a higher gear.
Having won five games in a row and 13 of their last 14, the Lakers hosted the Los Angeles Clippers on a Friday night.
The Clippers weren’t quite “Lob City” yet, as Chris Paul was still with the New Orleans Hornets. But L.A.’s other team did have Blake Griffin, who was then a rookie.
In an entertaining contest, Kobe Bryant powered the Lakers with 37 points on 11-of-21 field-goal shooting and 14-of-17 from the free throw line, along with six assists, en route to a 112-104 win.
Pau Gasol added 26 points and eight rebounds, while Ron Artest had 15 points, three steals and two appearances on the blooper reel.
For the Clippers, Griffin put in 22 points.
Although it wasn’t meant to be that year for the Lakers, their fans were starting to think world championship yet again around the time of this win over their cross-town rivals.
