Kobe's 38 help Lakers to 3-1 lead

In game 3, Kobe had one of his worst shooting performances ever in the postseason. He missed 19 of 24 shots and finished with 18pts.

Before game 4, J.Sloan and D.Williams were a little concerned with the response. “When you think that you’re doing a job on him, wait until you play him next time. I’m sure he’ll come back." 
HE DID.
“We didn’t play well at all. Kobe’s not going to go 5-for-24 again"
HE DIDN'T.

Kobe made quite an early impression by the scoring the Lakers' first 11 points. By the half, he matched his uniform number, going 10 of 13. He finished the game with 38pts and lead the Lakers to take a 3-1 lead before coming back to L.A for game 5.
  
"It was important for me to come out and be a little more assertive. Coming off that horrible performance I had in that last game, it feels good to respond with a game like this”, he said.

He sure did that. Kobe made 16 of 24 shots - a remarkable shooting effort considering 80% of his attempts came on long contested jumpers.
Jerry Sloan had no answer: "We never could get close enough to guard him". Neither did Olympics teammates D.Williams: "You could see he came out on a mission tonight. He is one of the greatest players to ever play this game".

But Kobe got some help too. Odom, who replaced Bynum as a starter, had 10pts & 15rbds. The bench did his job with Walton, Vujacic & Brown combined for 28pts compare to 7 in game 3.

Note: The Lakers can close the deal with a win on Monday night at Staples Center...Kobe was 14 of 17 at one points...L.A lead by as many as 23pts...Bynum struggled once again and played just 7 minutes....Boozer had 23pts & 16rbds for the Jazz....