Lakers 106, Timberwolves 101
Kobe Bryant collected 35 points and 14 rebounds and the Los Angeles Lakers reached the century mark for just the second time this season in a 106-101 victory over the host Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday.
Pau Gasol added 28 points and six boards while Andrew Bynum chipped in 21 and seven for the Lakers, who won for just the second time in the last six games.
Los Angeles led by as much as 73-55 with 5:07 left in the third quarter but had that lead slip away as the Timberwolves woke up. Minnesota closed the third with a 19-6 run, narrowing the gap to 79-74.
The Timberwolves would continue to push into the fourth, eventually grabbing a 91-89 lead when Michael Beasley tipped in an offensive rebound with 5:09 to play.
But the Lakers used their massive size advantage over the next four minutes, getting 12 points from Gasol and Bynum and another four from Bryant during a 17-10 run to finish the contest.
Kevin Love had 33 points and 13 rebounds for Minnesota but rookie sensation Ricky Rubio was held to five points on 2-for-13 shooting.