Kobe Has 46, Leads Lakers Past Toronto

[February 02, 2008]  TORONTO (AP) -- Kobe Bryant scored 46 points and the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Toronto Raptors 121-101 on Friday night, hours after acquiring Pau Gasol in a trade with Memphis.

The Lakers gave up Kwame Brown, rookie Javaris Crittenton and two first-round draft picks to get Gasol, who will play center until Andrew Bynum (left knee) is ready to return.

Gasol will undergo a physical Saturday in Los Angeles and could make his Lakers debut Sunday at Washington.

Bryant had the crowd gasping with several dunks, including one over Toronto's Carlos Delfino in the second quarter and a one-handed jam in the fourth.

Bryant slapped hands with fans seated next to the Lakers' bench when he was subbed out with less than 30 seconds to play.

Sasha Vujacic added 22 points and Jordan Farmar had 13 for the Lakers, who had lost four of their past five, including a 90-89 defeat in Detroit on Thursday night.

Andrea Bargnani had a season-high 28 to lead Toronto in scoring for the second straight game. Chris Bosh had 22 points and 15 rebounds for the Raptors, who lost for the first time in seven games at home.

Jose Calderon finished with 17 points and Anthony Parker 12.

Toronto trailed 77-66 late in the third but fought back with two baskets from Calderon, a 3-pointer by Carlos Delfino and two free throws from Bosh.

Ronny Turiaf ended the run with a pair of free throws and a layup before Bryant ended the quarter with a fadeaway 3-pointer, sending the Lakers into the fourth with an 83-77 edge.

Jason Kapono began the fourth with a jumper that cut the gap to four, but Bryant converted a three-point play and the Raptors never threatened again.

Notes:@ Bryant scored a career-high 81 points against Toronto on Jan. 22, 2006. ... After trading Brown and Crittenton, the Lakers dressed Luke Walton (hip) to give them five players on the bench. Trevor Ariza (broken right foot) and Bynum did not dress. ... This was the second game of a nine-game road trip for the Lakers, who will not play at home again until Feb. 19.

[Associated Press]

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