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Bryant, Lakers look to end road trip on a high note

Dec 29, 2006 - 2:39 PM LA Lakers (19-10) at Charlotte (7-21) 7:00 pm EST

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina (Ticker) -- After one of his worst games of the season, Kobe Bryant is back on track as the Los Angeles Lakers finish up a tough road trip.

Winners of three of their last four contests, Bryant and the Lakers take on the lowly Charlotte Bobcats in the finale of a six-game jaunt on Friday.

Fighting flu-like symptoms and stingy defense by Gary Payton and Dorell Wright, Bryant mustered just 16 points on 4-of-17 shooting as the Lakers fell to the Miami Heat on Christmas for a third straight year.

Bryant came back with vengeance on Wednesday, collecting 27 points and seven assists in Los Angeles' 101-93 victory over struggling Orlando.

The Lakers began their road trip with a loss at Chicago but have won three of their four games since and will look to end the trip with a winning record on Friday.

Gerald Wallace scored a season-high 40 points and grabbed 14 rebounds, Raymond Felton added 22 points and rookie Adam Morrison 17 off the bench for the Bobcats, who dropped a 114-107 decision to Washington on Wednesday.

Charlotte beat the Lakers at home on February 3 to give them their first win over Los Angeles in four all-time meetings.