Los Angeles, CA (Sports Network) - 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.
Pau Gasol had 21 points and 11 rebounds for the Lakers, who have won eight of nine overall. Bryant made 15-of-17 foul shots and also had 13 assists. Andrew Bynum posted 20 points, while Trevor Ariza and Josh Powell each had 10 points in the win.
Danny Granger had a team-high 28 points for the Pacers, who had won three of their previous four games. Troy Murphy added 24 points, while Mike Dunleavy went 8-of-14 from the floor for 22 points. Roy Hibbert posted 11 points, and Stephen Graham had 10 in the loss.
Down 12 heading into the fourth, the Pacers cut their deficit to six with consecutive threes from Granger and Murphy to open the frame.
Ariza pushed LA's lead back to 11 with 8:26 to play, but the Pacers pulled to within one on the heels of an 10-2 run. Dunleavy's three with 3:51 left made it a 108-107 game.
The teams played even for the next 2 1/2 minutes, as two Granger free throws made it a 115-114 Lakers lead with 1:22 left.
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Each team added two points, and Bryant hit two free throws after Granger fouled out for a 119-116 advantage with 47.0 seconds left.
Dunleavy drained a three with 26.4 seconds to go to tie the game at 119, but Bryant sank a turnaround jump shot over Jarrett Jack to put the Lakers back ahead.
Jeff Foster took the inbounds pass and couldn't find anyone to pass to, eventually serving up an air-ball, but after time expired to give LA the win.
Gasol had 11 points in the first quarter, and the Lakers led, 41-36, after the opening 12 minutes.
Both teams played even in the second quarter, and LA took a 68-66 edge into halftime.
Leading 85-82 with four minutes left in the third, the Lakers closed the period on an 11-2 run, as Bryant's two free throws put the hosts up, 96-84, heading to the fourth.
