Kobe Bryant scored 30 points Thursday and started a 20-0 run to end the third period, carrying the Los Angeles Lakers past Detroit 92-77. The Lakers, owners of a 57-14 record, moved within a game of Cleveland for the best mark in the NBA. Los Angeles won its fourth straight and its seventh out of eight.

Kobe Bryant needed just three quarters to score 31 points Tuesday and lift the Los Angeles Lakers to a 99-89 win over the Memphis Grizzlies. Pau Gasol, Derek Fisher and Sasha Vujacic also hit double figures for the Lakers, who snapped a two-game losing streak.

Kobe Bryant led all scorers with 26 points and the Los Angeles Lakers held Portland to 36 second-half points Sunday in a 100-86 win over the Trail Blazers. The Lakers outscored Portland 30-16 in the third quarter, and went on to win their sixth straight game and improve their NBA-best record to 27-5. Pau Gasol shot 7-of-9 from the field to finish with 19 points.

Kobe Bryant led all scorers with 31 points Sunday night and the Los Angeles Lakers outgunned Golden State 130-113 for their fourth straight win. The Lakers shot 51.6 percent from the field, with Derek Fisher scoring 19 points, Sasha Vujacic getting 17, and Andrew Bynum getting 13 points to go with 10 rebounds. Jamal Crawford led the Warriors with 22 points and five assists.

By KEVIN McNAMARA LOS ANGELES -- Now that's what champions are made of. The Boston Celtics took their most important step yet to world championship banner No.