Lakers 112, Clippers 104
Kobe Bryant scored 37 points, Pau Gasol had 26 and the Los Angeles Lakers earned a 112-104 victory over their co-tenant Clippers on Friday night at Staples Center.
The Lakers (52-20) continued their brilliant post-All-Star run, winning for the 14th time in 15 games. They have won eight in a row at home and lead Dallas (50-21) by 1 1/2 games for the second spot in the West.
Gasol made 10-of-15 shots and had eight rebounds. Andrew Bynum, back from a two-game suspension, had 12 rebounds and 11 points. Ron Artest scored 15.
Mo Williams did his best to keep the Clippers (28-45) in the game, scoring a season-high 30 points on 11-of-16 shooting, including 4-of-6 3-pointers. But backcourt partner Eric Gordon was scoreless until the final six minutes of the game, starting an horrific 0 for 11 from the field, and finished with seven points.
Blake Griffin had 22 points and six rebounds, but was largely neutralized by Bynum.