Lakers Let it Slip Away

Yahoo Sports: LOS ANGELES (AP) — Pau Gasol scored four of his 31 points in the final 53 seconds, Eddie Jones had 25 points, and the Memphis Grizzlies kept Kobe Bryant in check en route to a 100-99 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday night.

Chucky Atkins had 18 points for the Grizzlies, who ended a season-worst five-game losing streak and a six-game road skid. Memphis has won three of its last four games against the Lakers in Los Angeles, after losing the first 18.

Bryant scored 12 of his 26 points in the fourth quarter and Smush Parker added 20 for the Lakers. Bryant, who came in averaging a league-leading 35.4 points, missed 12 of his first 17 shots and finished 10-for-28 from the field.

Bryant made a 3-pointer that triggered a run of eight straight points by the nine-time All-Star and gave the Lakers an 86-77 lead with 7:48 to play. But Jones’ 3-pointer capped a 9-2 spurt and got Memphis within 90-89 with 3:53 remaining.

Bryant gave the Lakers some breathing room with a 14-footer, Kwame Brown converted an offensive rebound of Lamar Odom’s long miss into a 3-point play and Bryant drained a 20-footer for a 99-95 lead with 1:07 left. But the Grizzlies wouldn’t quit.

Brown tied a season high with 18 points and grabbed eight rebounds before fouling out with 53 seconds to go. Gasol sank both free throws, then blocked a shot by Odom at the other end and tied the score at 99 on a layup with 29 seconds left. But he missed a free throw attempting to complete a three-point play.

Brian Cook missed a 16-footer for the Lakers and Atkins made one of two free throws for a one-point lead with 3 seconds on the clock. Devean George rebounded the ball on Atkins’ second attempt, and the Lakers had a chance to pull out the win. But Bryant was closely guarded by Jones and missed a long jumper he got off after the final buzzer.

The Lakers square off with the Jazz on Monday night. What will Phil do to ensure a win? As always, we have live Gameday coverage in our ClubLakers.com Forums!

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