Lakers beat Knicks, snap losing streak
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-03-30 14:59

The Los Angeles Lakers broke their eight-game losing streak when Kobe Bryant scored 20 of his 32 points in the second half to beat the road-weary New York Knicks 117-107 Tuesday night.

Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant, right, is fouled by New York Knicks' Jamal Crawford as he drives to the basket during the second quarter of their game Tuesday, March 29, 2005, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. [AP]

New York's Stephon Marbury had a season-high 45 points, six rebounds and 10 assists in defeat. He scored 34 in the second half, shooting 9-of-13 from the floor and 10-of-11 from the foul line. He wound up making 12 of 22 field goals and 15 of 16 free throws in falling five points shy of his career high.

The losing streak was the second longest for the Lakers (33-37) since they moved from Minneapolis to Los Angeles in 1960. The Lakers lost their last 10 games of the 1993-94 season. That was the last time they failed to qualify for the playoffs, something they seem destined to do this year for just the second time since 1976. They are in 10th place in the Western Conference, and trail Denver for the eighth and final playoff berth by 5 1/2 games with 12 remaining.

Caron Butler added 26 points for Los Angeles. Devean George, playing just his third game of the season, had 18 points and Chucky Atkins scored 12 for the Lakers, who shot 53.4 percent and committed only 10 turnovers two days after committing a season-high 27.

The Lakers, who have had defensive problems all season, are now 7-32 in games where their opponent scores 100 or more points.

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