Bryant, Vujacic lead Lakers
Updated: 2008-01-30 15:28
LOS ANGELES - Kobe Bryant had 24 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists, Sasha Vujacic scored 12 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter, and the Los Angeles Lakers rallied for a 120-109 victory over the New York Knicks on Tuesday night.
 Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant (24) grabs a rebound against the New York Knicks during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2008. [Agencies] |
The Lakers trailed 99-91 when Vujacic made a pair of 3-pointers to get them going. A jumper by Bryant with 5:07 left snapped a 104-all tie and put Los Angeles (28-15) ahead for good.
Zach Randolph's basket with 3:10 left drew the Knicks within two points before the Lakers scored the next 10 points to clinch the victory.
Lamar Odom had 22 points and 12 rebounds, Derek Fisher scored 17 points, Ronny Turiaf added 14 points and nine rebounds, and Kwame Brown had 10 points and 11 rebounds for the Lakers, who are 13-0 when at least six players score in double figures.
Jamal Crawford and Nate Robinson led New York (14-30) with 22 points each. David Lee had 21 points and 12 rebounds and Randolph added 16 points and 14 rebounds for the Knicks, who had won five of their previous eight games.
Lakers forward Luke Walton came out of the game for good late in the first quarter with a right hip pointer. He joined centers Andrew Bynum (left knee) and Chris Mihm (right ankle bursitis) and forward Trevor Ariza (broken right foot) on the sidelines.
The game was the final one for the Lakers before they begin a nine-game road trip Thursday night in Detroit — their longest trip in the NBA's modern era.
Eddy Curry was limited to 10 1/2 first-half minutes because of foul trouble, and picked up his fifth just 71 seconds into the third quarter. A frustrated Bryant picked up a technical foul shortly thereafter, and Crawford's foul shot gave the Knicks a 66-60 lead.
That seemed to get Bryant going. He had only four points at that stage, but scored 11 during the remainder of the third quarter, which ended with the Knicks on top 87-85.
The Knicks outscored the Lakers 12-2 to put them ahead 53-49, and led 61-58 at halftime. Bryant, averaging 36.8 points in his previous five games against New York, had only four at that stage along with six rebounds and seven assists.
The Lakers outrebounded New York 12-2 to start the game, helping them take an 18-9 lead. Then, with Lee and Crawford doing all the scoring, the Knicks responded with a 12-2 run that put them on top 21-20. New York led 29-28 entering the second period.
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