LOS ANGELES, March 17 (UPI) -- Kobe Bryant hit five 3-pointers and scored 28 points Friday, pushing the Los Angeles Lakers to their fifth straight win, 97-92 over Minnesota.
The final margin was as close as the Timberwolves could get after falling behind by 16 in the third period.
Los Angeles shot only 41 percent from the field but made six more 3-pointers and seven more free throws than did Minnesota.
Andrew Bynum had 15 points and 14 rebounds for the Lakers while both Pau Gasol and Matt Barnes delivered 17 points.
The Lakers' lead over the Los Angeles Clippers in the Pacific Division grew to three games.
Kevin Love had 27 points and 15 rebounds for the Timberwolves, who have lost four out of five since guard Ricky Rubio was knocked out for the season by a torn knee ligament.
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- NBA: Utah 111, Minnesota 105 (OT)
- NBA: Minnesota 127, Phoenix 124
- NBA: LA Lakers 107, New Orleans 101 (OT)
- NBA: LA Lakers 116, Memphis 111 (2OT)
- NBA: Milwaukee 120, Golden State 98
- NBA: Sacramento 120, Boston 95
- NBA: Phoenix 109, Detroit 101
- NBA: San Antonio 114, Oklahoma City 105
- NBA: Toronto 114, Memphis 100 (OT)
- NBA: Portland 100, Chicago 89
- NBA: Orlando 86, New Jersey 70
- NBA: New York 115, Indiana 100
- NBA: Atlanta 102, Washington 88
- NBA: Miami 84, Philadelphia 78
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