Andrew Bynum had a season-high 15 rebounds, helping the Los Angeles Lakers to a 102-98 win against the Philadelphia 76ers at Staples Center to close out 2010 on a high note. Kobe Bryant led all scorers with 33 points, including the go-ahead bucket with 1:15 remaining, as the Lakers won their second straight game. Pau Gasol had 20 points and eight rebounds for the Lakers, and although he didn't get a rebound in the second half, Gasol had a key block on Thaddeus Young with under a minute to play.
Tom Petty watched from courtside at Staples Center as the Laker lead, which was once 14 points in the third quarter, was Free Fallin', but the Lakers refused to Breakdown, never letting the 76ers take the lead. Jrue Holiday was magnificent for Philadelphia, telling the Lakers, "I Won't Back Down" with a team-high 19 points and 11 assists. However, given the way the Lakers played in the second half, specifically the fourth quarter, perhaps "You Got Lucky" should ring in the new year for the purple and gold.
Lamar Odom had another strong game off the bench for the Lakers, with 18 points, seven rebounds, and four assists in 31 minutes. Steve Blake, who missed his last 11 three-pointers over the previous four games, and who had made just 13 of his last 48 field goal attempts (27.1%) over his last 11 games, made one of his three attempts from beyond the arc. The Lakers host Memphis Sunday night at Staples Center.
For more Lakers news and information, be sure to read the SB Nation blog Silver Screen and Roll.