HOUSTON, April 25 (UPI) -- Kobe Bryant's three-point play with 40.3 seconds left Sunday snapped a tie and led the Los Angeles Lakers to a 92-88 victory over Houston.
The victory gave the Lakers a 3-1 lead in their Western Conference quarterfinal series.
Karl Malone added a rebound and free throw with 6.4 seconds remaining. The 40-year-old Malone finished with 30 points and 13 rebound and drew the sixth foul from Rockets All-Star center Yao Ming in overtime.
The Rockets rallied from a 14-point second-half deficit and tied the game at 81-81 on a jumper by Steve Francis with 39 seconds left in regulation.
Two driving layups by Cuttino Mobley helped Houston build an 87-83 lead with 2:24 left in overtime. But Malone turned the momentum when he drew the sixth foul from Yao on a baseline drive and made the free throws with 1:27 remaining.
Bryant then stole a pass by Jimmy Jackson and scored on a running bank shot in the lane to give the Lakers an 88-87 lead with 1:12 left.
