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Wiggins, Bryant go head to head in Lakers victory

Brace Hemmelgarn / USA TODAY Sports

Heading into halftime with a 14-point lead, the Los Angeles Lakers had every reason to believe they would come away with their 10th win on the season, and while they did snap their 10-game losing streak, it wasn't easy.

One particular member of the Minnesota Timberwolves made life extra difficult for the Lakers.

Second-year shooting guard Andrew Wiggins may be a mere pup at 20 years old, but he played like a seasoned veteran, doing everything in his power to lift his squad to victory.

Maple Jordan exploded for 30 points on 13-for-20 shooting, adding five rebounds, two blocks, and a steal to his impressive outing.

While Wiggins received admirable contributions from his teammates - Gorgui Dieng had 19 points and Karl-Anthony Towns chipped in with 14 points and nine boards - the Wolves' valiant effort culminated in a 119-115 loss.

The real winners, though, were basketball fans who remained understandably glued to their televisions as Wiggins - one of the NBA's brightest young stars - went toe-to-toe with one of the greatest players of the past two decades, Kobe Bryant.

As Wiggins' on-court exploits paid homage to Bryant, the Tuesday night treat saw the 37-year-old get busy, as he morphed into the Black Mamba, torching the visiting team for 38 points.

Possibly the most impressive part of Vino's vintage performance was that he went 7-for-11 from beyond the arc - the most 3-pointers he's made in a single game since 2008 when he drained nine treys versus the Memphis Grizzlies.

For a brief moment in the final frame, Timberwolves bench boss Sam Mitchell - who coached the Toronto Raptors on that fateful day in 2006 - likely experienced painful flashbacks of Bryant's legendary 81-point night.

Although there are only 24 wins combined between the two teams, this Lakers-Wolves matchup did not disappoint.

Gracious in defeat - his team's fifth consecutive loss - Wiggins applauded Bryant.

And so, it was only fitting that the outgoing Lakers icon reciprocated with praise of his own.

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