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Bryant, Lakers edge Spurs for third straight win

Jan 18, 2007 - 6:24 AM SAN ANTONIO (Ticker) -- Superstar Kobe Bryant did it to the San Antonio Spurs once again.

Bryant collected 34 points and eight assists and led three players in double figures as the Lakers won their third consecutive game with a 100-96 victory over the Spurs.

Last season's scoring champion, Bryant connected on 12-of-19 shots and made 10-of-11 free throws en route to his 12th game with at least 30 points this season. He also grabbed six rebounds

"I score when I need to," Bryant said. "When the opening presents itself, I'll attack. But my responsiblity has changed a lot, making sure other guys are contributing."

Bryant also poured in 34 points in the Lakers' 106-99 victory on December 10 against the Spurs.

"It is fun, because it's tough to win here," Bryant said about beating the Spurs. "I'm sure it's not a big deal to San Antonio, but it's big for us."

With the game tied at 92-92, Bryant drained a pull-up jumper over Bruce Bowen and Maurice Evans added two free throws as the Lakers took a four-point edge with 1:14 to go.

After Brent Barry's 3-pointer from the corner with five seconds left pulled the Spurs to 98-96, Bryant made two key foul shots to seal the win.

"It's a good win," Lakers coach Phil Jackson said. "You can't take that away from us, but we can do better closing out the game."

Los Angeles bridged an impressive 18-2 burst in the fourth quarter to grab an 83-73 advantage with 6:58 left. Vladimir Radmanovic led the charge with eight of his 13 points in the run.

"That was a big difference in the ballgame," Jackson said. "The little things he (Radmanovic) did in the course of the game."

"It doesn't surprise me (other players stepping up)," Bryant said. "I expect it from them, so they in turn should expect it from themselves."

Tim Duncan had 26 points and nine rebounds and Tony Parker scored 25 for San Antonio, which has dropped two straight games after a four-game winning streak.

Parker and Manu Ginobili combined to score 10 points during a 12-2 surge to help the Spurs open a 91-90 advantage with 2:54 left.

"I thought the last 5 1/2 minutes of the game was our best basketball," Popovich said. "We played very well, unfortunately, we didn't play anywhere close to that the previous part of the game."