Kobe, Lakers Defeat Wade, Hapless Heat

LA never trails against defending champs in 30-point victory

(NEWSER) - No comeback required for the Lakers on Friday, as they scored the final nine points of the first half and never looked back in a 101-71 thrashing of defending champion San Antonio, reports AP. Kobe Bryant scored 22 points and Lamar Odom added 20 points and 12 rebounds as LA held serve at home, taking a 2-0 Western Conference finals series lead. More»

(NEWSER) - Kobe Bryant, celebrating what is expected to be his first NBA MVP award, did just enough to lead the Los Angeles Lakers to another postseason victory. Bryant had 38 points, six rebounds and seven assists yesterday, as the Lakers made it five straight playoff wins by beating the Utah Jazz 109-98 to begin the second round. Game 2 is Wednesday night in L.A. More»

Spaniard's 36-point effort helps LA beat Denver in Game 1

(NEWSER) - Pau Gasol finally discovered how it feels to be on the winning side in a postseason game. The 7-foot Spaniard had a whole lot to do with his first victory. Gasol established playoff highs with 36 points and eight assists and had 16 rebounds as well Sunday as the Los Angeles Lakers took command early in the third quarter and beat the Denver Nuggets 128-114. More»

Los Angeles clinches No. 2 spot in the Western Conference

(NEWSER) - Most Valuable Player candidate Kobe Bryant had 20 points, five rebounds and five assists before sitting out the fourth quarter, and the Lakers routed the defending NBA champion San Antonio Spurs 106-85 for their seventh win in eight games. The Lakers (56-25), who clinched the Pacific Division championship Friday, assured themselves of at least a second-place finish in the Western Conference. More»

Bryant scores 29 points in win

(NEWSER) - Kobe Bryant scored 29 points, while Vladimir Radmanovic matched his season high with 21, as the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Sacramento Kings last night, 114-92. Radmanovic hit five 3-pointers and tied his career high with 14 rebounds. Pau Gasol added 20 points and nine rebounds for the Lakers, who won their fourth straight, snapping the Kings four-game win streak. More»