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LOS ANGELES: Kobe Bryant scored 29 points and grabbed 10 rebounds
while passing out 8 assists Friday to spark the Los Angeles Lakers
past New Orleans 107-104 and clinch the Pacific Division crown.
Bryant sank 9-of-17 shots from the field, 3-of-7
from beyond 3-point range, but sparked the Lakers to a victory that
left them 55-25, one-half game shy of New Orleans, 55-24, for the
Western Conference lead.
Chris Paul, the NBA assist leader with 11.5 a
game, led the Hornets with 15 points and 17 assists.
Bryant sank back-to-back 3-pointers to end the
first period for a 39-20 Lakers lead and pulled off a 21-6 third
quarter to open the second period.
Bryant completed a 10-2 run to open the fourth
quarter and put the Lakers ahead, 92-77, with 9:24 left.
-- AFP
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