NBA: LA Lakers 115, New Orleans 111 (OT)

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 21 (UPI) -- Kobe Bryant scored 39 points Friday night, 11 of them in overtime, to lead the Los Angeles Lakers to a 115-111 win over New Orleans.

Bryant shot just 13-of-30 from the field but he was 12-of-12 from the foul line for the Lakers, who improved their NBA best record to 45-10. The victory avenged one of LA's four home court losses this season -- a 116-105 setback against the Hornets Jan. 6.

The Hornets trailed by 13 in the fourth quarter Friday night but fought back to send the game into overtime.

Pau Gasol finished with 20 points, 12 rebounds and six assists. Lamar Odom had 12 points and 17 rebounds, and Derek Fisher and Luke Walton scored 14 apiece for the Lakers, who won for the 10th time in their last 11 games.

Rasual Butler led New Orleans with a season-high 31 points. Chris Paul had 21 points and 16 assists before fouling out in overtime for the Hornets, who had won two straight coming into the game.