Bryant scores 29 to lead Lakers past Clippers

Dec 3, 2006, 6:30 GMT

Los Angeles, CA - Kobe Bryant scored 29 points, as the Lakers added another chapter to their rivalry with the Clippers after a 97-88 win at the Staples Center.

Bryant shot 11-of-23 from the field and 7-for-8 from the free-throw line.

Lamar Odom posted 18 points and eight rebounds for the Lakers, who won their second straight. Smush Parker netted 11 points and Vladimir Radmanovic added 10 off the bench.

'We shot fifty percent and had good balance tonight,' Lakers coach Phil Jackson said. 'Our bench gave us a lift.'

Elton Brand notched 17 points and eight rebounds for the Clippers, who have now lost six of their last seven. Cuttino Mobley also scored 17 points and Sam Cassell scored 16. Corey Maggette added 15 points and Chris Kaman contributed 12 boards.

Shaun Livingston hit a pair of free throws with about 41 seconds left in the fourth to cut the Clippers' deficit to 90-83. But, Bryant converted a three- point play with 21.7 seconds remaining, a pair of free throws with 16 seconds left, and another pair with 12.7 seconds on the clock to seal the win.

The Clippers closed the first quarter on an 11-4 run sparked by a Brand free throw with 3:28 remaining, and led 22-20 heading into the second.

The Lakers responded by outscoring the Clippers 27-17 in the second stanza to earn a 47-39 halftime advantage. The Lakers conceded three points from their lead in the third to hold a 69-64 lead heading into the fourth.

The Clippers committed 18 turnovers, compared to 15 by the Lakers.

'Our turnovers were way too costly,' Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy said. 'That was too big to overcome. We have to make better decisions. Our guys missed way too many easy shots around the basket.'

Game Notes

On November 21 this season, Bryant scored a season-high 40 points to lead the Lakers over the visiting Clippers, 105-101, in the intra-city showdown at the Staples Center.

The Lakers have won four of the last five meetings in this series.

© 2006 The Sports Network