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Kobe, Gasol lead Lakers over Wizards in LA

Dec 8, 2010 - 6:54 AM Los Angeles, CA (Sports Network) - Kobe Bryant scored a game-high 32 points, leading the Los Angeles Lakers to a 115-108 victory over the road-weary Wizards at Staples Center.

Pau Gasol added 21 points, 14 rebounds and eight assists for the Lakers, who have won two straight since a four-game losing streak. Lamar Odom contributed 24 points and seven boards in the win.

"We were happy with the win, but we didn't do a lot of things we should have," said the Lakers' Shannon Brown, who scored 12 points. "We need better ball movement and to get back in transition. We were able to get some key stops down the stretch."

Nick Young went 6-of-11 from three-point range and scored a season-high 30 points for the Wizards, who fell to 0-11 on the road this season, extending a franchise mark to start the season. Gilbert Arenas had 23 points in defeat.

John Wall recorded 22 points and 14 assists for Washington.

"We showed heart tonight," Wall said. "We were able to get back in the game. It's a learning experience. We have to learn how to finish games."

The Wizards trailed by 13 at halftime but rallied to get back in the game.

Behind, 86-68, with 4 1/2 minutes to go in the third, Washington finished off the quarter on a 16-1 run.

Young hit a pair of threes and totaled eight points during the run, and Kevin Seraphin's two free throws in the closing moments made it an 87-84 game heading to the fourth.

Los Angeles scored six straight points early in the fourth quarter to re- establish a 10-point lead, 97-87, on a Gasol basket with nine minutes left.

Washington never got closer than four down the stretch. Wall's layup with seven minutes left made it a 98-93 game, but Steve Blake answered with a three, and Odom followed with two free throws.

A Young three made it a 110-106 contest with 1:20 to play, but Bryant squashed the comeback effort with a pair of free throws at the other end.

Wall missed a three-point attempt with 14.9 seconds left that would have pulled the Wizards within one, and Bryant hit another two free throws with 10 ticks to go for a 114-108 difference, sealing the outcome.

The Lakers grabbed a 36-23 lead after one quarter and maintained a 13-point advantage, 69-56, at halftime.

Game Notes

The Lakers embark on a seven-game road trip that visits the Clippers, Bulls, Nets, Wizards, Pacers, Sixers and Raptors...The Wizards have lost eight straight to the Lakers and six of seven overall...Los Angeles is 10-2 at home...Wizards forward Andray Blatche (hip) missed the game.