MILWAUKEE, March 28 (UPI) -- Larry Sanders led a balanced Milwaukee attack Thursday and the Bucks overcame a slow start to defeat the Los Angeles Lakers 113-103.
Milwaukee ended a four-game skid and improved its hold on the final playoff position in the Eastern Conference.
Los Angeles, however, now has only a half-game advantage over Utah in the race for the last post-season spot in the West.
Sanders scored 21 points and grabbed 13 rebounds, helping the Bucks bounce back from a seven-point deficit after one period. The Bucks pulled away late after the Lakers held a one-point lead with just over 9 minutes to play.
Ersan Ilyasova and Brandon Jennings both scored 20 for Milwaukee while Monta Ellis had 18 points, nine assists and seven rebounds.
The Bucks are seven full games in front of Philadelphia for the eighth seed in the playoff chase.
Kobe Bryant had 30 points for the Lakers, moving him within four of tying Wilt Chamberlain for the fourth spot on the NBA's career scoring list.
Bryant, however, went just 6-of-17 from the field while the Lakers were losing for the fourth time in five games.
