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Bryant, Lakers hold on to defeat Warriors

Jan 13, 2011 - 7:25 AM Oakland, CA (Sports Network) - Kobe Bryant scored 17 of his 39 points in the fourth quarter, and the Los Angeles Lakers followed one of the easiest wins in franchise history with one of their toughest tests of the season.

The Lakers scratched out a 115-110 victory over Golden State on Wednesday, coming back from a 14-point deficit in the first half and withstanding a barrage of three-pointers at the end of the game to earn their sixth straight win.

It came one night after Los Angeles beat Cleveland, 112-57, to set a franchise record for fewest points by an opponent in the regular season. It was the third-largest margin of victory in Los Angeles history.

Coming off that high, Pau Gasol scored 24 points and 11 rebounds in this one and Lamar Odom had 20 points off the bench in the win.

Golden State guard Monta Ellis -- a gametime decision with flu-like symptoms that required an intravenous injection earlier in the week -- played the whole game and scored 38 points to lead the Warriors, who have lost four of their last six games.

Still feeling "aches and pains," Ellis guarded Bryant and got the better of him in the first half, scoring 23 points to Bryant's nine as the Warriors built a 53-45 lead at the break.

But Bryant took over in the second half, pouring in 13 points in the third quarter and 17 in the fourth, including a three-pointer that gave LA a 105-99 lead with 43.9 seconds left.

"Just two players trying to get a win," Ellis said.

As Bryant and Gasol tried to seal the victory at the free throw line -- they made eight straight foul shots in the last 31 seconds -- Golden State kept it close from beyond the arc.

Vladimir Radmanovic scored six of his 11 points on back-to-back threes and Dorell Wright also buried one to get the Warriors within 111-108 with 10.2 seconds left.

After Bryant hit two foul shots, Wright dunked to keep Golden State within three. But Gasol sealed the win with two final free throws.

Lakers coach Phil Jackson lamented giving up early runs in the game -- after taking a 26-21 lead after one quarter, the Warriors went ahead by as many as 14 in the second quarter -- but said his team could learn from it.

They could also learn a little something from the last minute of the game, when Golden State kept coming back to keep it close.

"We got some stops ... but the last 30 seconds was a free-for-all," Jackson said. "They showed why they're such an explosive team."

Game Notes

Wright had 27 points for Golden State and Stephen Curry scored 15 with 10 assists...Andrew Bynum had 11 points and 14 rebounds for LA...The Lakers have won 12 straight games in the series since the last Golden State victory on March 23, 2008...The Warriors opened a five-game homestand.