Lakers Hold Off Hornets For 3rd Straight Win
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Kobe Bryant had 25 points while moving into ninth place on the NBA's career scoring list, and Pau Gasol had 21 points and 13 rebounds in the Los Angeles Lakers' third straight victory, 101-97 over the New Orleans Hornets on Friday night.
Lamar Odom had 17 points and 13 rebounds, and Andrew Bynum added 17 points for the two-time defending champions, who have rebounded from a prolonged holiday skid and stories of minor team discord with five wins in six days, including three in the past four days.
Bryant followed up his milestone basket in the third quarter with two key buckets in the final 2 minutes.
David West had 23 points and 12 rebounds for the Hornets, who traveled a long way to open just a two-game road trip.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
