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Lakers’ Bryant expected to play tonight vs. Phoenix

Lakers forward Kobe Bryant runs on to the court before a game against the Grizzlies on Feb. 24.

Lakers forward Kobe Bryant runs on to the court before a game against the Grizzlies on Feb. 24.

(Brandon Dill / Associated Press)
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Kobe Bryant is expected to play tonight against Phoenix, Lakers Coach Byron Scott said after the team’s morning shoot-around.

Bryant sat out Tuesday’s game against Sacramento, leaving him with 14 to go before he retires.

“I talked to him a little bit this morning. He says he feels a lot better,” Scott said, adding that it was “75-25” Bryant would play.

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Bryant, 37, has complained of a sore right shoulder, the same one in which he sustained a season-ending torn rotator cuff last year.

The Lakers (14-54) have the NBA’s second-worst record and are four games ahead of the Suns in the standings. The teams play each other again Wednesday.

If the Lakers finish second from the bottom, they have a 55.8% chance of keeping their top-three protected pick on lottery night. If Phoenix falls below them in the standings, the Lakers’ chances of keeping the pick fall to 46.9%.

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