Kobe Bryant, playing with an extra spring in his step since the Lakers acquired Pau Gasol, scored 31 points as LA improved to 6-2 on a season-long road trip with a 106-97 win at Charlotte. However, for the second straight night, LA couldn't hold a big lead against a far weaker Eastern Conference opponent, instead squeaking out the victory, reports AP.
Gasol had his best game as a Laker with 26 points on 9-of-11 shooting, while his teammates totaled 50% from the floor for the night. Raymond Felton led the Bobcats, now losers of seven straight, with 29 points, while Nazr Mohammed had 22 points and 11 rebounds. One significant factor was the foul line, where the Lakers outscored Charlotte by 17. (More basketball stories.)