Kobe Leads Lakers Past Raptors 117-108

[March 12, 2008]  LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Kobe Bryant scored 10 of his 34 points in the final 8 1/2 minutes, Lamar Odom added 20 points and nine rebounds, and the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Toronto Raptors 117-108 on Tuesday night to regain the top spot in the Western Conference.

Now, they'll face a major challenge staying there, playing their next four games on the road against New Orleans, Houston, Dallas and Utah, who have a cumulative record of 168-86 -- including 101-26 at home.

Bryant also had seven rebounds and seven assists for the Pacific Division-leading Lakers (45-19), who have won 18 of their last 22 and lead the San Antonio Spurs by a half-game in the Western Conference race.

Derek Fisher scored 18 points, Pau Gasol had 12 points, seven rebounds and five assists and Jordan Farmar added 10 points and five assists for the Lakers, who shot 53.6 percent.

T.J. Ford scored all but four of his 28 points in the second half for the Raptors (34-29), who lost for the fifth time in seven games. Anthony Parker added 21 points, Rasho Nesterovic had 18 points and eight rebounds and Andrea Bargnani scored 15 for Toronto.

Raptors star Chris Bosh, averaging 22.6 points and 8.9 rebounds, missed his sixth straight game with a sore right knee. Toronto has a 4-7 record without Bosh this season.

Sasha Vujacic's 3-pointer with 7:09 remaining gave the Lakers a 97-86 lead -- largest of the game for either team to that point. The Raptors weren't closer than six points after that. Fisher's 3-pointer with 41 seconds left made it 113-104 and clinched the victory.

Odom scored 13 of his team's 25 points and Parker had 11 of his team's 25 in the third quarter, which ended with the Lakers leading 83-77.

A basket by Bryant and 3-pointers by Farmar and seldom-used Coby Karl gave the Lakers a 40-35 lead, and they were on top the rest of the way. Los Angeles shot 15-of-22 in the second quarter in outscoring the Raptors 36-27 for a 58-52 halftime lead.

The game was the second between the teams at Staples Center since Bryant scored a whopping 81 points in a 122-104 victory Jan. 22, 2006. It appeared he might be headed toward another huge game when he made three 3-pointers in the first five minutes.

Bryant had 13 points, three steals and four of his team's seven turnovers in the first quarter, which ended with the Raptors on top 25-22.

Notes: The Lakers committed only four turnovers in the final three periods, giving them a total of 11. ... The Lakers have scored 100 or more points in 18 of their last 20 games, but have allowed 100 or more in five of their last six. ... The game was the opener of a five-game road trip for the Raptors, who play at Golden State, Denver, Sacramento and Utah in the next six nights. They hope Bosh will be available at some point during the trip. ... The Lakers have won six straight against the Raptors at Staples Center. ... The Raptors have made at least one 3-pointer in a record 756 straight games dating back to February 1999. ... Bryant was called for a flagrant foul against Kris Humphries in the second quarter.

[Associated Press; By JOHN NADEL]

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