Lakers 106, Trail Blazers 101 (OT)
Kobe Bryant took over late and scored 37 points as the visiting Los Angeles Lakers earned a 106-101 overtime victory Wednesday night over the Portland Trail Blazers, who had their six-game winning streak snapped.
The Lakers ended a three-game skid and spoiled the return of Trail Blazers guard Brandon Roy, who had been sidelined for more than two months recovering from sore knees that required surgery.
Trailing 87-80, the Lakers (40-19) rallied as Ron Artest made a 3-pointer, Bryant sank a short fadeaway jumper and then tied the score at 87 with a 15-foot jumper from the left wing. Portland forward LaMarcus Aldridge missed a short shot at the buzzer.
Bryant also had nine rebounds and six assists. Artest scored a season-high 24 points and Pau Gasol had 18 points and 14 rebounds.
Aldridge had 29 points and 14 rebounds but was scoreless in the fourth quarter and missed two late free throws in overtime.
Wesley Matthews and Nicolas Batum scored 22 points apiece for Portland (32-25). Roy, who had not played since Dec. 15 because of sore knees and had arthroscopic surgery on Jan. 17, had five points in 16 minutes.