NBA: Kobe Bryant’s best games against every team

6. Kobe v. Knicks, February 2, 2009

61 points (19-31 FG), 20-20 FT, most points in MSG history*

The current record holder for most points scored in the history Madison Square Garden happens to be Carmelo Anthony. Melo dropped 62 (going 23-35) on the Charlotte Bobcats in 2014, setting both an arena record and a franchise record for the New York Knicks.

But in that five-year period, the Madison Square Garden record was in enemy hands. Kobe has had great games at Madison Square Garden before; he had recorded four games of 40+ at the arena before this night. On this night, Kobe chose to pair up with his familiar running mate in Pau Gasol, who himself put up 31 points, giving the pair 92 of the Lakers 126 points.

The most impressive element of this performance was Kobe’s perfection from the free throw line. The NBA record for most free throws made without a miss is 23, by Atlanta Hawks’ legend Dominique Wilkins from 2003. Kobe Bryant came very close; he took twenty foul shots and connected on them all, whittling down the Knicks’ energy and making them pay for showing their frustrations.

*at the time

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