Los Angeles, CA (Sports Network) - Kobe Bryant logged 31 points in three quarters of play, as the Los Angeles Lakers went through the motions and still ended up on the winning side of a 99-89 decision against the Grizzlies.
Pau Gasol added 13 points, while Derek Fisher and Sasha Vujacic chipped in 11 points apiece for the Lakers, who were coming off losses to Phoenix and Denver. Lamar Odom hit just one of his eight field goal attempts, but filled the stat sheet with 13 rebounds, eight assists and six blocks for the victors.
Marc Gasol, Pau's younger brother, and O.J. Mayo paced Memphis with 17 points apiece. Gasol also grabbed 14 rebounds in the Grizzlies' eighth straight loss.
A 14-0 run backed by five points apiece from Bryant and Gasol aided the Lakers' 32-19 lead after the first quarter.
The Grizzlies didn't crumble, but they still trailed 52-47 at the break.
LA held a three-point lead early in the third, and an 11-4 mini-run gave the hosts some breathing room. Fisher netted a three during the stretch and Bryant capped it with a reverse slam for a 65-55 lead with 7:18 left in the frame.
Holding a 78-67 lead heading to the fourth, the Lakers starters took a seat.
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The reserves scored the first eight points of the frame to take control. Memphis' 12-2 run midway through the frame made things interesting, but Vujacic nailed a trey around the four-minute mark for a 95-81 lead that was not seriously threatened the rest of the way.
