LOS ANGELES, Jan. 15 (UPI) -- Kobe Bryant scored 27 points overall and helped the Los Angeles Lakers fight off New Jersey in the final period Friday en route to a 100-88 win over the Nets.
Los Angeles won its seventh straight game and captured its seventh consecutive meeting with the Nets.
Bryant made 10-of-19 shots from the field. Pau Gasol was one of five Lakers in double figures with 20 points.
The Nets have lost four straight and, at 10-29, are one of five teams in the NBA with 10 or fewer victories.
New Jersey was within seven at the start of the fourth quarter and the Nets closed within three with 7:30 to play. Los Angeles then took control by scoring eight points in a row, two of them coming on a Bryant layup.
Brook Lopez led New Jersey with 35 points on 13-of-19 shooting.
