Nov. 19, 2003 25 years, 88 days
At “The World’s Most Famous Arena,” The Lakers ran the hometown New York Knicks out of the building by hitting free throw after free throw.
Kobe Bryant (7-of-9) was one of four Lakers with at least six made foul shots, as L.A. outscored New York at the stripe, 37-6, for a 104-83 victory at Madison Square Garden.
The Knicks actually made four more field goals than L.A. and trailed by just two at halftime, but then the whistles started blowing.
Bryant, who finished with 21 points and four assists, and his teammates benefitted from a 17-0 advantage in third-quarter fouls shots, which boosted them to a 53-34 second half.
No Knick finished with more than 13 points in part because L.A. kept taking the ball from them. The purple and gold racked up 14 steals, including a career-high five from Devean George.
Back at the free throw line, Shaquille O’Neal (23 points) led the way with an 11-of-16 mark, while Karl Malone pitched in a double-double (17 points, 14 rebounds).
Kobe performances on this day in history: