MVP Bryant lifts Lakers over Pacers

National Basketball Association Most Valuable Player Kobe Bryant hit the game-winner with three seconds to play Friday as the Los Angeles Lakers beat Indiana 121-119. Bryant finished the game with 36 points, 13 assists and seven rebounds. Indiana called timeout to set up a final play that didn't pan out. Mike Dunleavy inbounded the ball to Jeff Foster, who looked to get the ball back to Dunleavy but couldn't and ended up holding it as time ran out. The victory avenged the Lakers' December 2 loss at Indiana, when the Pacers won with a last-second tip-in. The...read full article

Jackson playing head games with these two Lakers

Lakers Coach Phil Jackson has never shied away from zinging players. Friday was no different. He picked at the play of Sasha Vujacic and Vladimir Radmanovic, reserves who have had to take on larger roles because of a spate of injuries. Jackson's unhappiness with Vujacic began when the fifth-year pro picked up a late technical foul Tuesday during a loss to New Orleans. "We just had to come to the conclusion that Sasha's just an emotional player that plays by the seat of his pants, and that's about it. He just doesn't have a brain," Jackson said before Friday's game against...read full article

Recap: LA Lakers vs. Indiana

Kobe Bryant recorded 36 points -- including the game-winning jumper with three seconds left -- and the Los Angeles Lakers returned to their winning ways at home with a 121-119 victory over the Indiana Pacers. The Lakers had lost their previous home tilt to the Hornets, snapping a 15- game win streak as the host. But LA improved to 19-2 at home this season, which is second in the NBA behind the Cavaliers, who are a perfect 19-0 at Quicken Loans Arena after a 98-83 rout of the Celtics on Friday. "We were never quite comfortable with a 10- or 12-point lead...read full article

Kobe sinks Pacers in final three seconds

Kobe Bryant hit the game-winning jumper with three seconds left to give the Los Angeles Lakers a 121-119 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Friday. Bryant, who finished with 36 points, 13 assists and seven rebounds, backed down Jarrett Jack before drilling the shot. Indiana called timeout to set up a final play, which went awry. Mike Dunleavy inbounded the ball to Jeff Foster, who looked to get the ball back to Dunleavy but couldn't and wound up holding it as time ran out. Foster launched a futile shot after the game was over. The win was a form of revenge for...read full article

Bryant's late surge gives Lakers win

Kobe Bryant made a tiebreaking jumper with 3 seconds left and scored the Lakers' last 11 points, giving Los Angeles a 121-119 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Friday night. Bryant finished with 36 points and 13 assists. After his turnaround jumper, the Pacers took a timeout but were unable to get off a shot before the final buzzer. The Lakers improved their home record to 19-2 and remained tied with Cleveland for the best overall record in the league at 29-6. The Cavaliers beat The Celtics 98-83 in Cleveland earlier Friday to improve their home mark to...read full article

Lakers are put through paces again

Teammates Vladimir Radmanovic and Pau Gasol congratulate Kobe Bryant after he hit an 18-foot jumper with three seconds to put the Lakers ahead, 121-119, on Friday night against Indiana. Should the Lakers be fortunate enough to make it to the NBA Finals, they can be thankful for one thing. The Indiana Pacers won't be there. Cleveland, Boston and Orlando are headline-takers in the Eastern Conference, but the well-under-.500 Pacers are simply headline-makers for the Lakers. A little more than a month after beating the Lakers in...read full article