LOS ANGELES, Jan. 14 (UPI) -- Kobe Bryant turned in another huge performance Friday in helping the Los Angeles Lakers win their fifth in a row by fighting off Cleveland 97-92.
Bryant scored 42 points, the third time in five games he has reached at least 40. He has had no fewer than 36 points in any of the eight games he has played in January and has produced 313 points to date in the month.
Cleveland scored the first nine points of the fourth period to draw within three and had a chance to tie the contest when Daniel Gibson missed a 3-pointer with 6:40 to play.
The Lakers eventually rebuilt their lead to nine and withstood a pair of 3-pointers from the Cavaliers in the final minute.
Los Angeles improved its home record to 8-1.
Bryant made 15-of-31 shots from the field and was backed up by 19 points from Pau Gasol. Kyrie Irving scored 21 for the Cavaliers.
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- NBA: Cleveland 101, Phoenix 90
- NBA: Utah 113, Cleveland 105
- NBA: Los Angeles Lakers 90, Utah 87 (OT)
- NBA: Los Angeles Lakers 99, Phoenix 83
- NBA: New Jersey 110, Phoenix 103
- NBA: San Antonio 99, Portland 83
- NBA: Dallas 102, Milwaukee 76
- NBA: Houston 103, Sacramento 89
- NBA: Minnesota 87, New Orleans 80
- NBA: Chicago 88, Boston 79
- NBA: Indiana 95, Toronto 90
- NBA: Philadelphia 120, Washington 89
- NBA: Detroit 98, Charlotte 81
