Andrew Bynum and Kobe Bryant helped withstand a furious Clippers rally in the fourth quarter, leading the Los Angeles Lakers to a 113-108 win over the Los Angeles Clippers Wednesday night at Staples Center. The victory was huge in the Pacific Division race, as the Lakers are now up two games in the loss column over the Clippers and hold the tiebreaker by virtue of winning two of three games with the Clippers.
The Lakers managed to build a 14-point lead in the final minute of the third quarter, but Chris Paul led a comeback rally for the Clippers. A 26-11 run by the Clippers culminated in a three-foot hook shot by DeAndre Jordan with 3:30 left to give the Clippers a 104-103 lead. But the Lakers ended the game on a 10-4 run for their fourth straight victory.
The win snapped a six-game winning streak for the Clippers, their longest streak in 20 years. Caron Butler led the Clippers with 28 points.
Bynum had 36 points and eight rebounds, while Bryant had 31 points, six rebounds, and five rebounds for the Lakers, who shot 51.8% on the night. Ramon Sessions was magnificent for the Lakers as well with 16 points, six rebounds, and eight assists, and had a driving layup with 47.4 seconds remaining to give the Lakers a four-point lead.
Paul had 22 points and a season-high 16 assists, while Blake Griffin had 15 points, 14 rebounds and two highlight dunks for the Clippers, who shot 45.3% on the night.
The Clippers next head to Sacramento Thursday night to battle the Kings. The Lakers host Houston Friday night.
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