Kobe surpasses Jordan, Lakers beat Timberwolves

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) Kobe Bryant has shot more than 11,000 free throws in his NBA career. He has been at the line in critical moments with championships hanging in the balance.

Still, when he stepped to the line midway through the second quarter of a December game against the lowly Minnesota Timberwolves, the weight of Air sat on his shoulders. And it was heavy. Bryant needed nine points to pass Jordan and, after missing four of his first five shots, he knocked down a pair of free throws with 5:24 to play in the first half to join Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Karl Malone on the NBA's career scoring podium. Bryant shot 7 for 20m but scored 10 in the final five minutes and hit a 3-pointer with just over a minute to play that helped seal the victory.