NBA: LA Lakers 106, Washington 104

WASHINGTON, Dec. 5 (UPI) -- Kobe Bryant's 23 points Friday led the Los Angeles Lakers' 106-104 win over the Washington Wizards.

Bryant -- who was just 5-of-17 from the field -- secured the victory with a free throw with just under 15 seconds left to play. Washington's Caron Butler missed a potential game-winning three-pointer as time expired.

The Wizards came back from a 20-point deficit, putting together a spirited 22-4 run in the fourth period.

Andrew Bynum had 19 points and 10 rebounds, Pao Gasol had 17 points, 10 rebounds and six assists and Vladimir Radmanovic scored 14 points for LA. Jordan Farmar scored 11 and Derek Fisher scored 10, while Bryant added seven rebounds and seven assists for the Lakers, who finished an East Coast road trip with two wins and one loss.

Butler led Washington with 26 points, nine rebounds, four assists and three steals. Antawn Jamison scored 15 with 12 rebounds, Nick Young scored 13, and Antonio Daniels 10 in the Wizards' fourth straight home loss.