Los Angeles, CA (Sports Network) - For a second straight game, Kobe Bryant
brought the Los Angeles Lakers back from the depths of despair to a much-
needed victory.
Bryant again went over 40 points, this time with 41 and 12 assists, as the
Lakers overcame the Toronto Raptors, 118-116, in overtime at Staples Center.
Bryant dribbled by Aaron Gray and raced in for a two-handed, tie-breaking dunk
with 10.6 seconds left in OT. The Lakers got a reprieve at the end when Rudy
Gay missed a potential tying jumper.
On Wednesday, the Lakers held New Orleans without a point for the final 6:47
in a 108-102 win. The Lakers used a 20-0 run in that game to erase an 18-point
fourth quarter deficit after falling behind by as many as 25 points.
Two nights later, the Lakers trailed by as many as 15 points and were down
seven with under four minutes left in regulation, but pulled out the win and
moved above .500 (32-31) for the first time since Nov. 20. They're only a
half-game behind Utah for the eighth seed in the Western Conference playoff
chase.
Bryant, who overcame nine turnovers, hit a trio of big 3-pointers in the
closing two minutes of regulation. That included a spectacular shot that tied
the game at 109 with 5.5 seconds remaining.
Gay then missed a jumper that would have given Toronto the win.
Dwight Howard totaled 24 points, 13 rebounds and five blocks, as the Lakers
won their 10th in a row at home against the Raptors. They also got revenge for
a 108-103 loss at Toronto on Jan. 20.
Steve Nash had 22 points in the win.
DeMar DeRozan ended with 28 points for the Raptors, who lost for the sixth
time in seven games.
The Sports Network