Kobe Bryant Reaches 29,000-Point Plateau

The Los Angeles Lakers ended their brief three-game road trip with a 105-102 win in Minnesota on Friday night, their 18th straight win over the Timberwolves. Los Angeles trailed by a point in the final minute, but Kobe Bryant hit four free throws in the final 16.7 seconds to secure the win for the Lakers.

Bryant scored 34 points in the win, and surpassed yet another milestone in his illustrious career. Bryant, fifth on the all-time NBA scoring list, surpassed the 29,000-point plateau Friday night, and now has scored 29,022 points in his career.

Bryant, who leads the NBA in scoring this season at 28.9 points per game, will likely surpass the 30,000-point barrier early next season. Unless he goes on an absurd scoring binge to close out the season, that is. Kobe needs to average 37.6 points per game over the final 26 games of the season to reach 30,000 points this year.

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Lakers Vs. Timberwolves Final Score: Andrew Bynum, Kobe Bryant Lead L.A. Over Minnesota 105-102

Kobe Bryant hit four free throws in the final 16.7 seconds to give the Los Angeles Lakers a 105-102 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves Friday night at Target Center in Minneapolis. Pau Gasol also had a huge block of Derrick Williams for a potential go-ahead basket in the final seconds.

The Lakers have scored 100 points in just nine of 40 games this season, but they have reached the century mark in all three games against Minnesota, who they have beaten 18 straight times.

Andrew Bynum had 26 points and 10 rebounds for the Lakers, who shot 47.6% from the field. Gasol added 12 points, 11 boards, four assists and two blocks for the Lakers (24-16). The Lakers are 7-14 on the road this season.

Bryant scored 34 points to lead the Lakers, but made just 11 of 26 shots from the field. During the three-game road trip, Bryant shot just 33.7% (28 for 83) from the field.

Center Nikola Pekovic had a double-double for the Timberwolves (21-20) with 25 points and 13 rebounds. Minnesota shot 45.7% from the field.

Williams scored 22 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for Minnesota, and was added to the starting lineup after Kevin Love was scratched with back spasms. Love also missed a game against the Lakers last week in Los Angeles with flu-like symptoms.

The Lakers return home Sunday to host the Boston Celtics in a nationally televised game on ABC.

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Lakers Schedule 2012: Road Trip Ends In Minnesota, Then Showdown With Celtics

The Los Angeles Lakers have begun their three-game road trip with disastrous results so far, dropping games to the lowly Detroit Pistons and Washington Wizards earlier in the week. The Lakers conclude their road trip Friday night against the Minnesota Timberwolves, then return home Sunday to host the Boston Celtics in a nationally televised game on ABC. Here is the Lakers' weekend schedule:

Friday - Lakers at Minnesota (5 p.m., KCAL): The Lakers have beaten the Timberwolves 17 straight times, but are also just 6-14 on the road this season. The Lakers have scored 100 points just eight times this season in 39 games, but two of those games have been their two wins over Minnesota.

Sunday - Boston at Lakers (12:30 p.m., ABC): The Lakers host their longtime rivals, looking for a similar result to their 88-87 win in Boston on February 9.

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