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TDIKH: December 1

Dec. 1, 2000

22 years, 100 days

In a preview of their playoff rivalry for years to come, the Lakers and Spurs went at it at Staples Center, with Kobe Bryant leading the purple and gold to a 109-100 victory.

Bryant dropped 43 points on 16-of-31 shooting, while going 9-of-10 at the free throw line.

San Antonio’s frontcourt of Tim Duncan (24 points, 11 rebounds) and David Robinson (16 points, 10 rebounds) notched double-doubles, but Shaquille O’Neal (36 points, 16 rebounds) took care down low for L.A.

The Lakers — who shot 51.3 percent (41-of-80) — bolted to a 20-point halftime lead, but the Spurs whittled that advantage down to four at the end of the third quarter.

However, Bryant staved off the visitors in the final period by scoring 15 fourth-quarter points on a 6-of-9 clip.

Kobe performances on this day in history: