Ranking Kobe Bryant’s top 10 games against the Detroit Pistons

AUBURN HILLS, MI - MARCH 6: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers removes his protective mask during a game against the Detroit Pistons on March 6, 2012 at The Palace of Auburn Hills in Auburn Hills, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2012 NBAE (Photo by J. Dennis/Einstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
AUBURN HILLS, MI - MARCH 6: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers removes his protective mask during a game against the Detroit Pistons on March 6, 2012 at The Palace of Auburn Hills in Auburn Hills, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2012 NBAE (Photo by J. Dennis/Einstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
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Kobe Bryant
(Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)

9. December 10, 2000 & March 15, 2001

Following his rookie season, Bryant would not score more than seven points against the Detroit Pistons until the 2000-01 season.

However, the the Lakers were coming off a championship campaign, successfully defending their 2000 title, and would eventually go on to repeat as NBA champions for the second time.

In the two team’s first match-up of the 2000-01 season, Kobe would find his stride on the way to a 26-point performance. Behind this outing, the Lakers would go to secure a 24-point win.

However, that would not be Bryant’s best outing against the Pistons that season, and the Lakers would go on to earn a season sweep of the Pistons.

In the teams’ second match-up that year, Bryant would outshine his previous performance. In a 125-119 overtime win for the Lakers, Kobe played 48 minutes and posted 39 points on 16-of-28 shooting.

This would be Kobe’s first 30-point game against the Detroit Pistons. Eight of Kobe’s points would come in overtime to help secure the win for the Lakers. In addition to a strong offensive performance, Kobe also notched five rebounds, seven assists and three steals.