2:28 — With the shot clock expiring, Kobe shakes Allen and drains a fadeaway baseline 20-footer just as Garnett arrives with the double team. A ridiculous shot for anyone else, but routine for the Kobester. The shot gives the Lakers their last lead, 71-69.

0:29 — With Rajon Rondo switched onto him, Bryant runs the Celtic point guard into a Gasol screen out top, then crosses him over and appears to have his shoulder even with him for a foray to the basket. But instead Kobe backs it out with his left hand and hoists a contested 3-pointer with 18 seconds on the shot clock. A very difficult shot, perhaps excusable as an effort to go 2-for-1, but P.J. Brown rebounded the brick and the Lakers did not get another shot in the quarter.

11:45 left in 4th — Bryant drives left on Posey from the top of the circle, creates space with a hesitation dribble and banks in a 12-footer as the 6-11 Brown closes out on him. A contested shot to be sure, though Kobe's lift probably makes him feel like he's wide open. (If LeBron James could make this shot with any consistency the Celtics wouldn't be playing right now.)

10:37 — With his back to the basket at the foul-line extended, Bryant gives Posey a head-and-shoulder fake to his left then spins back to his right to shoot a 15-foot turnaround, but is met there by the aggressive double team of Allen. The result is an air ball.

5:45 — Kobe re-enters the game after a couple minutes on the bench and receives the in-bounds pass with two seconds on the shot clock. His no-choice baseline 20-footer with Allen's hand in his face is a brick.

4:05 — Bryant gets Allen on his hip with a hard drive to his left, but Brown slides over and swallows him up with a hard double team. Kobe forces the ball into a sea of Boston hands and Allen is credited with the block. Not a good look.

3:25 — Kobe shakes and bakes (and double-bakes) on Pierce at the foul line, but Pierce refuses to go for any of his up-fakes and Kobe is forced to settle for a contested 16-foot fall-away which comes up short.

0:53 — Bryant gets a decent look at a 25-foot 3-pointer from out top with Posey a shade late on the close out. But it is a brick off the back iron.

Bryant missed his last five shots and his fourth-quarter 1-for-6 was part of the Lakers' 5-for-20 brickfest in the final 12 minutes.

It's one game. The Lakers are hardly in trouble. Unless, of course, Kobe really believes those were good looks and he doesn't need to get better shots.

If that's the case, the mongoose will emerge from the hole with a dead snake down below.