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Lakers end losing streak by extending Sonics' skid

Nov 28, 2007 - 8:26 AM LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- A game against a struggling Western conference opponent was exactly what the Los Angeles Lakers needed.

Kobe Bryant scored 35 points as the Lakers snapped a three-game losing streak with a 106-99 victory over the Seattle SuperSonics on Tuesday night.

The Lakers entered the game having lost their last three games - all coming against the Eastern Conference. But Seattle was struggling as well - and still is - after letting the game get away in the third quarter.

Bryant had 21 points at the half but the game was tied, 54-54, heading into the third. The Lakers then put the game out of reach in the that quarter.

"It was time for me to get more aggressive offensively," Bryant said. "I just played more aggressive on offense and my teammates followed my lead."

Lamar Odom scored 20 points and hit a 3-pointer to start the third to give the Lakers the lead for good. Odom's hoop ignited a 9-3 run as Los Angeles outscored Seattle, 31-19, in the period to take a 85-73 lead.

"We rebounded the ball much better in the second half," Odom said. "When we rebound we get more possessions and more shots."

Derek Fisher scored 14 points and had eight assists and Andrew Bynum had 12 and 10 rebounds for Los Angeles.

Rookie Kevin Durant scored 25 points for Seattle, which has lost five straight and five of the last six meetings with Los Angeles.

Durant scored 12 of his points in the final six minutes but it was not enough as the Lakers' lead was as big as 15 points.

Despite the win, Los Angeles coach Phil Jackson was not all that happy with the way his team closed out the game.

"I didn't like the way we finished up. We had a 15-point lead, then we were wandering around defensively and started doing some things I didn't like," Jackson said. "I'm not happy with that game, but it was a win."

The Sonics (2-13) are one defeat away from matching the worst start in team history. Seattle began 2-14 in the 1967-68 season - its first as a franchise.

Chris Wilcox had 18 points - 14 in the first half - and Earl Watson scored 16 off the bench for Seattle, which was only 18-for-28 from the line.

"I thought our bench did a great job and gave us a great effort and guys played hard but we need to play a little better," Seattle coach P.J. Carlesimo said. "We need to execute and tonight free throws were something that hurt us."