Everything about this time should belong to Kobe Bryant.

The anticipation rises as the clock ticks closer and closer to zero. The volume level at the Staples Center crowd rises with each passing moment. The stakes become higher too.

Yet, there Bryant stood on one of his most efficient nights, missing a point-blank shot that could have put the Lakers over the top with less than a minute remaining. But no matter.

Bryant has never paid attention to the so-called clutch stats that say he hasn’t delivered a game-winning shot within the final five seconds in the last two years. The Lakers’ star hardly worries about the criticism over his high-volume shooting. Bryant’s confidence never wavers on whether his next shot will drop in the bucket.

So, of course, on the following possession, Bryant took control of the offense. He backed down Indiana forward Solomon Hill. Bryant turned around and attempted a four-foot right handed floater. The shot swished softly into the net. On the next play, Lakers forward Nick Young defended C.J. Miles so tightly that he passed to center Roy Hibbert, who could only muster a 20-foot jumper that hit the top of the backboard.

All order was then restored. The Lakers picked up a 88-87 win on Sunday over the Indiana Pacers at Staples Center. The 18,997 fans enjoyed their first free tacos in 2015. And Bryant delivered both an efficient and clutch performance with 20 points on 7-of-14 shooting, six rebounds, six assists and three steals in 32 minutes.

“I don’t worry about it too much,” Bryant said about his recent fourth-quarter struggles. “That’s not something I worry about. I’ve hit plenty of mine in my day. The city of L.A. is a little spoiled by it.”

This season, Bryant has shot a career-low 37.9 percent from the field. He missed a potential game-winning shot last month against Oklahoma City. Bryant fell short with another one in Friday’s loss to Memphis. Yet, Bryant emerged again as the ultimate closer against Indiana by scoring the team’s final nine points.

Bryant attacked the basket aggressively enough that he drew two trips to the foul line in the final two minutes and converted on all four shots. In between visits to the charity stripe, Bryant sank a corner 24-point three-point shot. And he finished off his with that smooth right hook shot.

After looking too fatigued to carry the Lakers to the finish line during this taxing 2014-15 season, Bryant appeared rejuvenated.

“I love the fact that it seems like he has more energy. He obviously has his legs,” Lakers coach Byron Scott. “He’s been well rested if he has to carry us in that fourth quarter. That’s what he did tonight.”

All of this traces back to Scott taking a more conservative approach toward Bryant’s workload, of course.

Bryant sat out for three consecutive games. Then, Bryant played the past week between 32 and 33 minutes per night without playing an entire quarter. Bryant missed morning shootarounds. When the Lakers practiced, Bryant either received treatment or completed light shooting drills. Bryant will also stay home when the Lakers (11-23) play the Portland Trail Blazers (26-8) at Moda Center to conserve energy on the second night of a back to back.

“It’s case by case,” Bryant said. “It keeps my body fresh.”

Yet, Bryant has also ensured that by evolving.

“I’ve gone to more of an old man game instead of beating guys off the dribble. I don’t stop and go. That wears down the joints. I just back them down. I take my time. That saves a lot in my legs,” Bryant said. “My game used to be predicated on pull up jump shots, stop and go movements, a lot of explosiveness and change of direction. I’ve been able to adjust so far.”

That’s for sure.

Bryant delivered well-placed bounce passes over and over. Lakers forward Jordan Hill received one in the lane for an easy layup. Bryant thread the needle from the nearside perimeter to the farside of the court to Lakers guard Ronnie Price for an open three-pointer. Bryant found Lakers guard Wayne Ellington open on the baseline for a two-handed dunk. Lakers forward Ed Davis threw a two-handed dunk when he received a bounce pass as he ran toward the lane.

“They feel more accountable,” Bryant said of his teammates. “They know I’m going to keep coming to them. They don’t want to let me down. When they miss the shot, they say they will make the next one. They feel more self accountable and responsible about knocking those down because I put my trust in them.”

Yet, Bryant has also put trust in himself.

He may have taken 14 shot attempts against Indiana, a sharp decrease from the 23 he has averaged this season. But Bryant still looked for his shot, particularly when he drew single coverage because of his increased passing.

The Lakers’ star converted on left and right hook shots. He sank pull up jumpers on the elbow. Bryant worked patiently in the post before sinking fadeaways. Lakers forward Carlos Boozer even found him cutting toward the lane for an open two-handed dunk.

“I know there are things I can’t do,” Bryant said. “It’s completely fine.I understand it. I have many flaws. But one of my strengths is I can be realistic and I can build around that. I understand what my weaknesses are and what I can and can’t do, accept it and try to dominate another way.”

Bryant showed many weaknesses earlier this season. His shooting accuracy became unreliable. Bryant also took a large volume of the team’s shots. Yet, Bryant has insisted all season that these issues became necessary for three reasons. His teammates didn’t hit shots consistently. They often stood around waiting for Bryant to bail him out. Even when Bryant’s teammates had the hot hand or moved efficiently, Bryant believed the Lakers had a better chance of overcoming a steep deficit if he took charge.

“It’s a balance. I drive a hard bargain,” Bryant said. “I’m never going to change. If it breaks you, you don’t belong here. If it doesn’t, then you’ll win championships. Simple as that.”

Obviously, finding this balance has hardly been simple. But Bryant proved otherwise against the Pacers, perfecting the tight rope between dazzling his teammates and fans alike with pinpoint passes and selflessness with enough energy to take control of the steering wheel and the clutch.

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Follow L.A. Daily News Lakers beat writer Mark Medina on Twitter and on Facebook. E-mail him at mark.medina@langnews.com