Lakers 105 Celtics 97

Bryant Scores 43 As Lakers Top Celtics

© 2006 The Associated Press

BOSTON — Kobe Bryant had 43 points, five rebounds and five steals and the Los Angeles Lakers salvaged the finale of a three-game road trip with a 105-97 win over the Boston Celtics on Monday night.

Bryant shot 18-of-39 and Lamar Odom added 17 points and nine rebounds for the Lakers, who never trailed and pulled a half-game ahead of Sacramento for seventh place in the Western Conference. The Lakers avoided falling below .500 for the first time since a loss to Utah on Jan. 3 dropped them to 15-16.

Paul Pierce scored 26 and Tony Allen added a season-high 18 points for the Celtics, who have lost four of five to drop four games behind Philadelphia in the race for the eighth Eastern Conference playoff spot.

The Lakers’ first two games of their road trip ended with missed contested 3-pointers by Bryant. The Lakers lost to New Jersey 92-89 Friday and to Cleveland 96-95 Sunday despite leading by as many as 18 against the Cavaliers.

This time, Bryant made sure the game didn’t come down to the closing seconds.

Share your views on the Lakers in the ClubLakers Forums

Sound off in the Los Angeles Lakers Forums!