Lakers edge Clippers 106-100
(Agencies)
Updated: 2004-03-20 14:53

Kobe Bryant scored 10 of his 27 points in the last four minutes to help the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Clippers 106-100 on Friday night.

Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant looks to pass against Los Angeles Clippers' Elton Brand (42) and Keyon Dooling during the second half Wednesday night, March 17, 2004, in Los Angeles. The Lakers won the game 106-103. [Reuters]

The win was the fourth straight and eighth in 10 games for the Lakers (46-23), who moved a season-high 23 games over .500. They trail the Pacific Division-leading Sacramento Kings by four games with 13 left.

But they haven't had an easy win during their recent streak against non-playoff teams, barely beating Chicago, Orlando and the Clippers twice.

Shaquille O'Neal added 18 points, 10 rebounds and six assists; Gary Payton scored 16 points; Karl Malone had 14, and Rick Fox 10 for the Lakers. Bryant also had seven rebounds and five steals.

Corey Maggette led the Clippers with 31 points, seven rebounds and five assists. Elton Brand had 15 points and seven rebounds, and Matt Barnes scored a career-high 14 points and had seven rebounds.

The Lakers took the lead for good with 3:15 remaining on a dunk by Bryant off an assist from Malone, making it 94-92.

Two free throws by Bryant and a dunk by O'Neal extended the Lakers' lead to six points before a basket by Brand and two free throws by Bobby Simmons made it 98-96.

But Bryant made a basket with 1:10 to play and two free throws with 46.6 seconds left to give the Lakers a six-point lead.

The Clippers lost for the 10th time in 12 games and assured themselves of an 11th straight losing season.

Clippers guard Quentin Richardson, averaging 17.9 points, was a late scratch because of back spasms.

A basket by O'Neal to start the fourth quarter gave the Lakers a 10-point lead — largest in the game for either team.

But the Clippers chipped away, and two free throws by Maggette and a jumper by Doug Overton tied it at 90 with 4:25 remaining.

It was 74-66 entering the final period. All five Lakers' starters were in double figures by that time — the first time that's happened since Dec. 28.

The Clippers scored the last seven points of the first quarter to take a 27-20 lead. The Lakers led 52-49 at halftime.

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