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Bryant leads Lakers past Barcelona

Oct 19, 2008 - 4:59 AM LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- Kobe Bryant had 28 points and six steals as the Los Angeles Lakers defeated FC Barcelona, 108-104, in preseason action Saturday.

Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol each scored 13 points for Los Angeles, which shot 55 percent (41-of-74) from the field and forced 27 turnovers.

The Lakers had a 29-19 lead after the first quarter and never trailed again, although they failed to put away the international club.

After Barcelona closed within four late in the game, Chris Mihm converted a key three-point play with 33 seconds remaining to extend the Lakers' lead to 104-97. The Spanish club never got closer than four the rest of the way.

Former Memphis Grizzlies guard - and Gasol's teammate on the Olympic silver medal-winning Spanish squad - Juan Carlos Navarro led all scorers with 34 points for Barcelona. He made 7-of-13 from the arc.

FC Barcelona has won seven of the last 13 Liga ACB titles.