Bulls Top Lakers In Gasol's Last Staples Showdown With Kobe
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Jimmy Butler had 26 points and 10 assists, and the Chicago Bulls opened their longest road trip of the season with a 114-91 victory over the spiraling Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night.
Pau Gasol had 21 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists while facing Kobe Bryant for the final time at Staples Center and the first time anywhere since the 7-foot Spaniard left the Lakers as a free agent in 2014.
Bryant scored 10 points on 4-for-13 shooting after sitting out the previous game for the Lakers, who lost their season-worst eighth straight game to drop to 9-39.
Bryant and Gasol had a seven-year partnership that produced two NBA championships and three trips to the finals.
Kobe hadn't been healthy enough to suit up against the Bulls since the 2012-13 season.
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