Bynum, Bryant lead Lakers over Suns on Christmas

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Kobe Bryant asked to be traded last spring in part because he wanted to play for a team that could contend for a championship. He just might have gotten his wish by staying put.

Bryant scored 26 of his 38 points in the second half, Andrew Bynum had a career-high 28 points to go with 12 rebounds and a season-high four assists, and the Lakers beat the Phoenix Suns 122-115 on Tuesday for their ninth win in 11 games.

The victory lifted the Lakers (18-10) to a season-high eight games over .500 and within one game of the Pacific Division-leading Suns (19-9), who lost for the fifth time in eight games.

Bryant, who complained about a lack of talent around him, has gotten plenty of help recently, especially from the 20-year-old Bynum, who shot 11-of-13 in outplaying Phoenix center Amare Stoudemire.

Bynum left to a roar of approval from the Staples Center crowd of 18,997 and a hand-slap from Bryant with 11.5 seconds to play.

“We’re getting better. It’s just about getting better each day,” Bryant said. “It’s good to have games like this. We have a solid foundation, we really do. When you play against Phoenix, you have to be solid.”

Derek Fisher added 19 points, Lamar Odom had 15 points and 14 rebounds, and Trevor Ariza scored 14 points in his first start since being acquired from Orlando last month.

While Odom didn’t mince words, calling Bynum one of the NBA’s best centers, others weren’t so quick to make such a jump.

“At the end of the year, if he is the MVP, then we’ll say what a great year he had,” Lakers coach Phil Jackson said, drawing laughs from reporters.

“The best thing about it is he’s put in so much work over the summer and now,” Bryant said. “The

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