Kobe Bryant scored 24 points, including two key 3-pointers in the fourth quarter, to spark the Los Angeles Lakers past San Antonio 92-83 on Wednesday for their seventh victory in a row.
Kobe Bryant scored 24 points, including two key 3-pointers in the fourth quarter, to spark the Los Angeles Lakers past San Antonio 92-83 on Wednesday for their seventh victory in a row.
The victory opened a five-game road swing for the Lakers, who at 53-18 have the best record in the Western Conference by six games over Dallas with only 11 games to play.
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"It was a playoff-type of atmosphere," Bryant said. "We were down in the first half. We had to battle back. It was a good win for us to start this road trip."
Argentina's Manu Ginobili scored 24 points and George Hill added 21 fpr the Spurs, who at 42-28 are half a game ahead of Portland in seventh in the West.
Tim Duncan struggled from the field, sinking only 2-of-12 shots to finish with six points as well as 12 rebounds.
"You always want to beat the best teams, but at this point in the season, I just want to beat the team in front of me," Ginobili said. "If it's the worst or the best, we just need to win."
Bryant hit 4-of-5 shots in the fourth quarter and scored 10 points in the final period, including a 3-pointer to put Los Angeles ahead 80-74 with 5:41 to play and another two minutes later to give the Lakers an 11-point lead.
Lamar Odom had 19 points and 13 rebounds for the Lakers while Ron Artest scored 16 points and Spaniard Paul Gasol contributed 10 points and 12 rebounds.
"We're at the point of the year where we're really tuned in and focused about what we have to do out there," Gasol said. "Defensively, in that good mindset so it carries on to the offensive end."
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