There were just enough moments for Lakers followers to savor — plenty of wham-bam plays and a solid Kobe Bryant effort in the final countdown of his career.
If only there was some defense.
It’s hard to win when you give up 95 points in the first three quarters, a wall the Lakers smacked into as their two-game winning streak bounced to an end.
They stunned the Golden State Warriors and defeated the Orlando Magic, but their fun run fell apart Thursday night in a 120-108 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Bryant’s season-long inaccuracy was not a problem. He scored 26 points on commendable 11-for-16 shooting in his final game against LeBron James.
“It was everything for a competitor like myself and I know for himself,” James said after the game. “I know he was not taking this game off and I definitely wasn’t taking it off, so it was great to be out there for sure.
“For the both of us, we are two sportsmen ... we love the lights and get up for the best moments and for us to give the fans and give our beautiful sport one last opportunity to watch us both on the same floor and give them a show, it was great.”
The Lakers’ other season-long issue hurt them.
They got away with bad defense Sunday against the Warriors, the top team in the Western Conference. It wouldn’t happen against the East’s top team. The Cavaliers’ score-by-quarters showed 33-31-31-25.
Lakers Coach Byron Scott grimaced when asked about it. He said something about the Lakers not sticking to the game plan, and if it called for not getting into a shootout with the Cavaliers, they failed.
The Lakers are 27th in the NBA in defense, giving up 107 points a game.
It didn’t matter that Kevin Love sat out for the Cavaliers (46-18) because of a sore knee. Channing Frye took his spot and scored 21 points, making five of seven three-point shots.
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Lakers forward Kobe Bryant and Cavaliers forward LeBron James embrace each other before the start of the game on March 10 at the Staples Center.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 2/8
Lakers forward Kobe Bryant tries to steal the ball from Cavaliers forward LeBron James during the first half Thursday night.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 3/8
Lakers forward Kobe Bryant celebrates after scoring against LeBron James and the Cavaliers during the first half Thursday night.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 4/8
Cavaliers forward LeBron James reacts after a play against Kobe Bryant and the Lakers during the first half.
(Danny Moloshok / AP) 5/8
Lakers forward Julius Randle dunks against Cavaliers forward Tristan Thompson on Thursday night.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 6/8
Cavaliers forward LeBron James gets a Kobe Bryant elbow to the face during their game Thursday night at Staples Center.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 7/8
Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson tries to drive past Cavaliers guard J.R. Smith during a game last season. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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LeBron James and Kobe Bryant hug after the Cavaliers defeated the Lakers, 120-108, on Thursday night at Staples Center.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) James (24 points) and Bryant basically canceled each other out. D’Angelo Russell (24) did a nice job of almost matching Kyrie Irving’s output (26 points), though Russell didn’t shoot as cleanly (eight for 19).
Frye and JR Smith (17 points) were the ones who were too much for the Lakers (14-52). It didn’t help that their best player had an off night, Jordan Clarkson scoring five points on two-of-12 shooting.
It was fun to watch the first half. It felt exactly like an All-Star game.
Each team had its mini-shows before Cleveland took a 64-55 edge into the locker room.
Tarik Black turned over the ball in the lane and it was thrown quickly out to Smith, who dribbled downcourt with James and threw an off-the-backboard pass to James for a dunk.
The Lakers weren’t just bystanders at first.
Bryant delighted the Staples Center crowd by hitting fadeaways and connecting on a smooth up-and-under move. Julius Randle (15 points, nine rebounds) had a strong first-quarter dunk after cruising past Smith and beating Tristan Thompson to the rim.
Scott acknowledged feeling like a fan while watching James and Bryant one last time.
“That’s an epic matchup of two of the best,” he said. “Kobe, it seemed like he had a flashback himself.”
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Recording artists Beyonce, left, and Jay-Z watch the Clippers play the Brooklyn Nets at Staples Center on Jan. 22, 2015. (Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)
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John Legend and Chrissy Teigen sit courtside for the final Kobe Bryant-LeBron James matchup on March 10, 2016, at Staples Center.
(Danny Moloshok / Associated Press) 3/100
Cam Newton takes in the Cavaliers-Lakers game on March 10, 2016, when Kobe Bryant and LeBron James played against each other for the final time.
(Harry How / Getty Images) 4/100
Beyonce and Jay Z take in the Clippers’ 103-98 comeback victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on March 2, 2016.
(Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press) 5/100
Clippers guard Chris Paul, left, is congratulated by Billy Crystal after a 97-83 victory over the Charlotte Hornets on Jan. 9.
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Jay Z watches the Clippers pick up their 10th consecutive winy with a 104-90 victory over the Miami Heat on Jan. 13.
(Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times) 7/100
Freida Pinto and polo player Ronnie Bacardi watch the Lakers play the Milwaukee Bucks on Dec. 15, 2015.
(Danny Moloshok / AP) 8/100
Olivia Wilde talks to Will Forte during a Clippers game against the Orlando Magic on Dec. 5, 2015.
(Mike Nelson / EPA) 9/100
Drake attends the game between the Lakers and his hometown Toronto Raptors on Nov. 20, 2015.
(John Salangsang / Invision) 10/100
Will Ferrell has food delivered to his courtside seat during a game between the Lakers and Detroit Pistons on Nov. 15.
(Robyn Beck / AFP / Getty Images) 11/100
Kendall Jenner watches the Lakers take on the Dallas Mavericks during a game Nov. 1, 2015.
(Mike Nelson / EPA) 12/100
Arsenio Hall and George Lopez check out a season-opening game between the Lakers and Minnesota Timberwolves on Oct. 28, 2015.
(Harry How / Getty Images) 13/100
Television personalities Khloe Kardashian, left, and Kendall Jenner, center, attend a playoff game between the Clippers and Houston Rockets at Staples Center on May 8, 2015.
(Paul Buck / EPA) 14/100
Brazilian model Wanessa Milhomem, left, and Anthony Kiedis of the Red Hot Chili Peppers sit courtside during a game between the Lakers and Atlanta Hawks on March 15, 2015. (Danny Moloshok / Associated Press)
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Recording artist Snoop Dogg attends a playoff game between the Clippers and Houston Rockets at Staples Center on May 8, 2015.
(Paul Buck / EPA) 16/100
Actors Billy Crystal, left, and Timothy Olyphant attend a playoff game between the Clippers and Houston Rockets at Staples Center on May 8, 2015.
(Paul Buck / EPA) 17/100
Actor Eddie Murphy and girlfriend Paige Butcher attend the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Lakers at Staples Center on April 12, 2015.
(Stephen Dunn / Getty Images) 18/100
Actress Mindy Kaling attends a game between the Lakers and Dallas Mavericks at Staples Center on April 12, 2015.
(Stephen Dunn / Getty Images) 19/100
Actor Denzel Washington laughs as he sits courtside during a game between the Lakers and New York Knicks at Staples Center on March 12, 2015. (Danny Moloshok / Associated Press)
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Actor Paul Wesley, left, and actress Phoebe Tonkin, right, sit courtside during a game between the Lakers and Atlanta Hawks at Staples Center on March 15, 2015. (Danny Moloshok / Associated Press)
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Actor Hayden Christensen attends a game between the Lakers and Detroit Pistons at Staples Center on March 10, 2015. (Danny Moloshok / Associated Press)
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Actress Dyan Cannon, center, sits courtside during a game between the Lakers and Detroit Pistons at Staples Center on March 10, 2015. (Danny Moloshok / Associated Press)
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Actor Casey Affleck attends a game between the Lakers and Boston Celtics at Staples Center on Feb. 22, 2015. (Chris Carlson / Associated Press)
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Actor Mark Wahlberg listens to Lakers trainer Gary Vitti during a game between the Lakers and Milwaukee Bucks at Staples Center on Feb. 27, 2015. (Stephen Dunn / Getty Images)
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Broadcasting entrepreneur Norman Pattiz, left, talks with recording artist Tom Petty during a game between the Lakers and Houston Rockets at Staples Center on Jan. 25, 2015. (Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)
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Actor Andy Garcia walks from his seat during a game between the Lakers and Detroit Pistons at Staples Center on March 10, 2015. (Danny Moloshok / Associated Press)
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Actor Liev Schreiber sits with his son, Sasha, during a game between the Lakers and Dallas Mavericks at Staples Center on March 8, 2015. (Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)
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Television personality Bill Maher watches the Lakers play the Dallas Mavericks at Staples Center on March 8, 2015. (Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)
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Cameron Diaz, center, and her husband Benji Maddien watch the Washington Wizards and Los Angeles Lakers game. (MICHAEL NELSON / EPA)
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Denzel Washington chats with former Lakers star Norm Nixon during the Lakers-Rockets game. (Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)
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Recording artists Jay-Z, left, and Beyonce sit courtside during a game between the Clippers and Cleveland Cavaliers at Staples Center on Jan. 16, 2015. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
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Actress Jennifer Garner attends a game between the Clippers and Boston Celtics at Staples Center on Jan. 19, 2015. (Alex Gallardo / Associated Press)
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Boxing champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. watches the Clippers play the Cleveland Cavaliers on Jan. 16. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
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Model Kendall Jenner, center, sits with her half-sister Khloe Kardashian, left, during the Clippers’ 114-89 victory over the Lakers at Staples Center on Jan. 7. (Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)
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Kevin Hart and fiancee Eniko Parrish sit courtside for the Clippers-Warriors game on Christmas. (Danny Moloshok / Associated Press)
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Australian recording artist Iggy Azalea sits courtside at a game between the Lakers and New Orleans Pelicans at Staples Center on Dec. 7, 2014. (Danny Moloshok / Associated Press)
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Skrillex spent his Christmas evening checking out the Clippers-Warriors game at Staples Center. (Victor Decolongon / Getty Images)
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Former NBA All-Star Baron Davis enjoys the Warriors-Clippers game on Christmas evening. (Victor Decolongon / Getty Images)
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New parents Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher take a break from parenthood to enjoy the Lakers-Thunder game. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
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Athony Kiedis and his son, Everly Bear Kiedis, attend the Lakers game against the New Orleans Pelicans. (Danny Moloshok / Associated Press)
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Sylvester Stallone spends a moment chatting courtside at the Lakers-Pelicans game. (Danny Moloshok / Associated Press)
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Drake, a well-known Toronto fans, takes in the Lakers’ games against the Raptors. That’d be the Lakers’ 127-122 victory in overtime. (Jae C. Hong / Associated Press)
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Recording artist Rhianna smiles while attending a playoff game between the Clippers and Oklahoma City Thunder. (Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)
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Chris Brown and Rihanna sit side by side at the Lakers-Knicks game on Christmas Day. (Robyn Beck / AFP / Getty Images)
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Australian recording artist Iggy Azalea sits courtside during a game between the Lakers and Minnesota Timberwolves at Staples Center on Nov. 28, 2014. (Danny Moloshok / Associated Press)
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Recording artist and actor LL Cool J attends a game between the Clippers and Utah Jazz on Nov. 3, 2014. (Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)
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Jack Black plays it cool as he watches the Lakers get their first victory of the 2014-15 season against the Charlotte Hornets. (Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)
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Kim Kardashian, left, and her husband, recording artist Kanye West, watch the Lakers play the Houston Rockets at Staples Center on Oct. 28, 2014. (Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)
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Recording artist Adam Levine, left, and his wife, Behati Prinsloo, watch the Lakers play the Houston Rockets at Staples Center on Oct. 28, 2014. (Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)
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Actress Emmy Rossum attends a Lakers-Portland Trail Blazers game in 2014. (Danny Moloshok / Associated Press)
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Fergie sings the national anthem before the Clippers opened the 2014-15 season against the Oklahoma City Thunder. (Paul Buck / EPA)
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Actor David Hasselhoff cheers on the Clippers during a playoff game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. (Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)
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Actress Chloe Grace Moretz cheers on the Clippers during a playoff game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. (Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)
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Actor Owen Wilson attends a game between the Clippers and Phoenix Suns at Staples Center on Nov. 15, 2014. (Danny Moloshok / Associated Press)
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Television and film producer James L. Brooks, left, and Jack Nicholson watch a playoff game between the Clippers and the Oklahoma City Thunder. (Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)
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Lakers star Kobe Bryant, left, hugs actor Jet Li before a game against the Houston Rockets on Oct. 28, 2014. (Robyn Beck / AFP/Getty Images)
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Clippers owner Steve Ballmer poses for photos with recording artist Fergie during the Clippers’ 2014 season opener at Staples Center. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
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Recording artist Beyonce sits courtside during a game between the Clippers and Cleveland Cavaliers at Staples Center on Jan. 16, 2015. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
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Recording artist Justin Bieber, left, greets boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. during a Clippers playoff game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Staples Center. (Michael Nelson / EPA)
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Actor Mark Wahlberg sits with his wife, model Rhea Durham during a playoff game between the Clippers and Oklahoma City Thunder at Staples Center. (Michael Nelson / EPA)
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Actor Billy Crystal celebrates as he watches the Clippers play the Oklahoma City Thunder in a playoff game at Staples Center. (Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)
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Actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt watches a Lakers-Phoenix Suns game in 2014. (Gus Ruelas / Associated Press)
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Actor Dylan McDermott and his daughter, Colette Rose McDermott, watch the Lakers play the Phoenix Suns in 2014. (Gus Ruelas / Associated Press)
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Recording artist Rihanna watches the Clippers play the Oklahoma City Thunder in a playoff game at Staples Center. (Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)
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Recording artist Justin Bieber takes a photo while sitting courtside during a Clippers playoff game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Actors Kristen Dunst, left, and Garrett Hedlund watch the Lakers play the New Orleans Pelicans in 2014. (Gus Ruelas / Associated Press)
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Actors David Hornsby and Emily Deschanel watch the Lakers play the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2014. (Danny Moloshok / Associated Press)
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Actor Zach Galifianakis watches the Lakers play the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2013. (Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)
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Actor Christopher Meloni and his daughter, Sophia, left, attend a Lakers-New Orleans Pelicans game in 2014. (Michael Nelson / EPA)
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Actors Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis attend a Lakers-New Orleans Pelicans game in 2014. (Michael Nelson / EPA)
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Actor Will Farrell reacts while watching himself on the big screen during a game between the Lakers and Sacramento Kings in 2014. (Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)
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Australian recording artist Iggy Azalea walks to her seat before a game between the Lakers and Minnesota Timberwolves at Staples Center on Nov. 28, 2014. (Danny Moloshok / Associated Press)
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Actor Simon Baker takes in a Lakers-Orlando Magic game in 2009. (Noah Graham / Getty Images)
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Actor Zac Efron, center, attends a Lakers-Dallas Mavericks game in 2014. (Gus Ruelas / Associated Press)
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Reality star Nicole Richie, left, and musician Joel Madden attend a Lakers-Portland Trail Blazers game in 2014. (Danny Moloshok / Associated Press)
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Rihanna chats with the son of agent Ari Emanuel during a game between the Lakers and Golden State Warriors. (Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)
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Former Laker Rick Fox watches the Clippers play the Brooklyn Nets. (Michael Nelson / EPA)
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Jack Nicholson, left, and Adam Sandler sit courtside as the Lakers host the Thunder. (Paul Buck / EPA)
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Kim Kardashian and Kanye West, who are expecting their first child, take in a Lakers-Nuggets playoff game last spring. (Noel Vasquez / Getty Images)
80/100
Vanessa Bryant and George Lopez react to a play during the Lakers-Knicks game on Christmas Day. (Alex Gallardo / Associated Press)
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Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis swing into action as they’re featured on the Staples Center Kiss Cam during a game between the Lakers and Utah Jazz. (Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times)
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Lakers point guard Steve Nash greets George Lopez before the Christmas Day game against the Knicks. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Actor Denzel Washington, left, and soccer star David Beckham sit next to one another at a game in 2010. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
84/100
Christina Aguilera catches a Lakers-Thunder game with a friend. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
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Eddie Murphy and Australian model Paige Butcher arrive for a Lakers-Suns game. (Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images)
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Galaxy stars David Beckham and Landon Donovan flank Beckham’s son Brooklyn before a Lakers-Heat playoff game. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
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Actor Dustin Hoffman, center, his wife Lisa Gottsegen, left, and producer Jeffrey Katzenberg attend a Lakers-Orlando Magic game in 2010. (Danny Moloshok / Associated Press)
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Model Cindy Crawford, left, baseball player Alex Rodriguez and former pro wrestler Torrie Wilson attend the Houston Rockets at Los Angeles Lakers NBA basketball game. (Paul Buck / EPA)
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Actor Will Farrell attends a Lakers-Cleveland Cavaliers game in 2011. (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)
90/100
Actors Kevin Connolly, left, and Toby Maguire, center, attend a Lakes-Utah Jazz game in 2008. (Andrew Gombert / EPA)
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Model Heidi Klum sits with her three children during Lakers-New Orleans Hornets game in 2011. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
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Actor Joseph Gordon-Leavitt, center, watches a Lakers-Minnesota Timberwolves game in 2010. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
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Television producer Larry David, left and film director Spike Lee sit courtside before a Lakers-Denver Nuggets game in 2009. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
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Actor Jaden Smith, left, and pop star Justin Bieber attend a Lakers-Houston Rockets game in 2010. (Mariah Tauger / Los Angeles Times)
95/100
First Lady Michelle Obama sits in a booth at Staples Center to watch Game 6 of the Lakers-Celtics Finals series. (Ronald Martinez / Getty Images)
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Comedian Dane Cook and TV host Maria Menounos watch the Lakers-Celtics Game 6 from the stands at Staples. (CJ Gunther / EPA)
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Christina Aguilera checks her cellphone after singing the national anthem at the beginning of Game 6 of the NBA Finals series between the Celtics and the Lakers. (Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
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Red Hot Chili Pepper Anthony Kiedis hopes to fire up the Lakers in Game 6 at Staples versus the Celtics. (Ronald Martinez / Getty Images)
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Rock star Lenny Kravitz brings some celebrity to the Staples stands during Game 6 against the Celtics. (Ronald Martinez / Getty Images)
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Actors Diane Lane and Josh Brolin cozy up courtside during the Lakers-Celtics Finals Game 6. (For the record: A an earlier version of the headline above this caption misidentified Josh Brolin as John Brolin.) (CJ Gunther / EPA)
Bryant or James played in each of the last nine NBA Finals, but they never played against each other in the playoffs.
“There were years where we could have faced each other ... it just never worked out,” Bryant said. “A real rivalry never developed. Rivalries aren’t made in the regular season. ...
“You’ve got to duke it out where it really matters.
“I’m disappointed for the fans because you want to really see that.”
Bryant got a standing ovation when he checked out with 2:10 left.
There are 16 games left in his career, and in the Lakers’ ever-shrinking season.
Follow Mike Bresnahan on Twitter: @Mike_Bresnahan
