Kobe ejected, Lakers rout Supersonics

SEATTLE (AP)—Kobe Bryant made it look too easy scoring, distributing and leading the Los Angeles Lakers back to the top of the Western Conference.

Even if he didn’t get to see the final 16 minutes.

Bryant scored 21 points in just 26 minutes, handed out 10 assists, and picked up his first ejection of the season in Los Angeles’ 111-91 win—its season-high eighth straight—over the Seattle SuperSonics on Sunday night.

The Lakers never trailed while extending their longest streak since rolling off 11 straight late in the 2003-04 season—the last time they reached the NBA finals.

Los Angeles wrapped up a stretch playing 12 of 13 on the road with an astonishing 11-2 mark, including wins in the last seven. At 39-17, the Lakers moved ahead of Phoenix for the best record in the West, the second time this season they’ve led the conference.

Pau Gasol added 22 points, and Lamar Odom had 19 points and 11 rebounds.

Bryant didn’t get to see his teammates finish this one off after picking up a pair of technicals from official Brian Forte with 4 minutes left in the third quarter and the Lakers leading 88-57.

Bryant was furious after not getting a foul while fighting for an offensive rebound. Bryant kept jawing at Forte as Seattle raced the other direction. Seattle’s Earl Watson missed a shot, but Mickael Gelabale grabbed the offensive rebound. With a lull in the action, Forte popped Bryant with a technical.

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