Recap: LA Lakers vs. Atlanta

Published online on Sunday, Nov. 01, 2009

Kobe Bryant had a game-high 41 points to go with eight rebounds and five steals, and the Los Angeles Lakers took a 118-110 win over the Atlanta Hawks.

Lamar Odom just missed a triple-double, ending with 11 points, 14 rebounds and eight helpers for the Lakers, who used an 18-0 run in the third quarter to grab the win and rebound from a loss to Dallas on Friday. Andrew Bynum added 21 points in the victory.

"We picked up our intensity tonight, and it started with number 37," Bryant said of Ron Artest, who ended with 12 points and seven rebounds. "His energy changed the pace of the game."

Joe Johnson had 27 points and nine boards to pace the Hawks, who were dealt their first loss of the season. Jamal Crawford had 17 points off the bench, while Mike Bibby added 15.

In a tight game early on, Bryant's three gave LA a 27-25 lead after the first quarter. The Lakers then rattled off seven straight points near the end of the second, but Crawford's two free throws brought Atlanta within 64-58 at the break.

"Giving up 64 points in the first half is not our team. I thought we were sluggish," Atlanta head coach Mike Woodson said. "We scored enough points, but you win on the defensive side and we weren't very good tonight."

It was back-and-forth for the beginning stretches of the third, but after Bibby's three got the Hawks within four, the Lakers poured in 18 straight points.

Bynum and Bryant each scored six in the run, which ended on two foul shots from Bryant, making it a 92-70 game. The Lakers carried a 98-76 lead into the fourth and largely cruised down the stretch.

Jeff Teague sank a jumper with 4 1/2 minutes to play that got the Hawks within 108-98, but Bryant countered with a layup and LA held on for the win from there.

Game Notes