DENVER, Jan. 22 (UPI) -- Kobe Bryant scored 12 of his 18 points during a game-breaking surge in the third quarter Friday, leading the Los Angeles Lakers past Denver 107-97.
The game was tied 4 minutes deep in the third quarter but the Lakers outscored the Nuggets for the remainder of the period 24-14. Los Angeles led by as many as 14 points in the fourth quarter.
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Ron Artest and Pau Gasol both scored 19 for the Lakers, who bounced back from a setback to Dallas Wednesday and won for the ninth time in 11 games. Lamar Odom added 18 points and Andrew Bynum had 17 after suffering a hyper extended elbow in the game against Dallas.
Carmelo Anthony, still with the Nuggets despite continual rumors involving a trade, led Denver with 23 points.
