NBA: LA Lakers 104, Denver 90

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 22 (UPI) -- Kobe Bryant made two-thirds of his shots Friday, scored 29 points and led the Los Angeles Lakers to an easy 104-90 conquest of Denver.

Los Angeles led by 21 going into the final period and coasted to its third straight win. The Lakers have captured 10 of their 11 games thus far this season -- their only loss coming Nov. 14 against Detroit.

Andrew Bynum and Lamar Odom added 13 each for the Lakers and Pau Gasol had 12. Bryant made 12 of his 18 shots and equaled his second-highest point total of the season.

Denver was led by 18 points each from J.R. Smith and recently-acquired Chauncey Billups.

The Nuggets failed to put up a challenge against LA after winning their previous four games.