NBA: L.A. Lakers 112, Seattle 109

SEATTLE, April 7 (UPI) -- Kobe Bryant scored 46 points Friday night to guide the Los Angeles Lakers past Seattle, 112-109.

They scored the first five points of the fourth quarter to take an 87-86 lead, and after a back-and-forth stanza, Bryant hit a jumper with to give the Lakers a 105-103 lead with 1:41 left to secure the win.

It was 16th time this season Bryant scored at least 40 points in a game.

Lamar Odom had 20 points and seven rebounds; while both Luke Walton and Ronny Turiaf scored 10 points for the Lakers, who are one-half game ahead of Denver for the sixth seed in the Western Conference playoff race.

Chris Wilcox led Seattle with 32 points and 18 rebounds.

Damien Wilkins scored 25 points; Earl Watson had 16 points and eight assists; while Nick Collison added 14 points and 14 rebounds for the SuperSonics, who lost point guard Luke Ridnour to a left ankle injury in the first quarter.