Kobe Bryant had a game-high 41 points to go
with eight rebounds and five steals, and the Los Angeles Lakers took a 118-110
win over the Atlanta Hawks.
Lamar Odom just missed a triple-double, ending with 11 points, 14 rebounds and
eight helpers for the Lakers, who used an 18-0 run in the third quarter to
grab the win and rebound from a loss to Dallas on Friday. Andrew Bynum added
21 points in the victory.
"We picked up our intensity tonight, and it started with number 37," Bryant
said of Ron Artest, who ended with 12 points and seven rebounds. "His energy
changed the pace of the game."
Joe Johnson had 27 points and nine boards to pace the Hawks, who were dealt
their first loss of the season. Jamal Crawford had 17 points off the bench,
while Mike Bibby added 15.
In a tight game early on, Bryant's three gave LA a 27-25 lead after the first
quarter. The Lakers then rattled off seven straight points near the end of the
second, but Crawford's two free throws brought Atlanta within 64-58 at the
break.
"Giving up 64 points in the first half is not our team. I thought we were
sluggish," Atlanta head coach Mike Woodson said. "We scored enough points, but
you win on the defensive side and we weren't very good tonight."
It was back-and-forth for the beginning stretches of the third, but after
Bibby's three got the Hawks within four, the Lakers poured in 18 straight
points.
Bynum and Bryant each scored six in the run, which ended on two foul shots
from Bryant, making it a 92-70 game. The Lakers carried a 98-76 lead into the
fourth and largely cruised down the stretch.
Jeff Teague sank a jumper with 4 1/2 minutes to play that got the Hawks within
108-98, but Bryant countered with a layup and LA held on for the win from
there.
Game Notes
The Lakers have won four in a row, as well as 17 of the last 20, against
Atlanta in Los Angeles...Bryant recorded his 97th career 40-plus point
game...Teague had 12 points off the bench.
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