Wade outscores Bryant

This is what they all came to see: Kobe Bryant and Dwyane Wade, generally considered the best shooting guards in the NBA, dueling it out to the finish.
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Even with Miami's attention on him, Kobe Bryant (25 points) still scores the Lakers' last six points of regulation and six of their 14 in OT.
This is no longer about Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal, who didn't play in either the Christmas Day or Monday night game because he's still recovering from knee surgery.
This was about Bryant and Wade defending each other when it mattered most, about Bryant and Wade directing their teams' attacks, about who would get the upper hand this time.
Bryant's Lakers won in overtime, 124-118 over Wade's Miami Heat before 18,997 at Staples Center.
Wade outscored Bryant just like he did in their first meeting this season, getting 35 points and eight assists. Bryant had 25 points and eight assists that told much of the story.
He scored the Lakers' final six points of regulation and six of their 14 in overtime. He also found Brian Cook for a three-pointer that gave the Lakers the lead for good, 117-114.
"I was just waiting for the ball," said Cook, who had 25 points on 10-for-16 shooting, including 4 for 6 on threes.
"My man was leaving me to double Kobe all night. I knew it was good when it left my hands."
The Heat drew within one twice after that, but Bryant answered with a basket the first time and free throws the second, with 37.2 seconds left.
Wade then drove to the hoop and kicked the ball out for James Posey in the corner, but his pass was intercepted by Smush Parker, who was fouled and sealed it with free throws.
"Dwyane Wade penetrates, and he likes to dish it to either corner," Parker said, "and I just gave him a little head fake like I was going to double him and I got back to the shooter."
Said Wade: "I just read it wrong. I had a step on Kobe, I tried to draw and then kick, but Parker stayed home. So it caught me at the last second. It was a great defensive play on Parker's side. I should have put it up."
When it was over, Bryant and Wade sought each other out and hugged, a sign of respect for what each brings to the court.
Bryant said he aggravated his sore left groin but described his duel with Wade as "enjoyable."
"Wade stepped up to the challenge, and that's part of what makes him a special player," he said.
They were the stars of this shootout, which featured 23 three-pointers, including 14 by the Lakers.
Parker had 17 points, including five threes, and Luke Walton had 10 points and 10 rebounds as seven Lakers scored in double figures. Cook also had 10 rebounds.
"You've got to make three-pointers against Miami," Coach Phil Jackson said. "If you don't, you're going to be in a vacuum. You've got to be able to pull up and hit some shots."
The Lakers led 108-101 after Bryant's jumper with 3:31 left, but Miami scored seven straight and tied the game on a three by Jason Kapono with 1:58 left.
Bryant scored on a runner over Udonis Haslem for a 110-108 lead, and Wade missed a jumper over Bryant, but the Lakers couldn't secure the rebound. Parker ran the ball down but was off balance and threw the ball out to Kapono, who passed to Haslem for a dunk.
Bryant tried to force the issue when he went around Wade in the final seconds. But Haslem stepped in, drew contact and forced Bryant to throw the ball back out.
Maurice Evans threw up a desperation airball, and the game went into overtime tied at 110.
"We felt like we should have won it in regulation," Bryant said. "We didn't do it so now we have to regroup. We have to rebuild that energy, and that takes some maturity to do. We were able to do that."