Thursday, March 26, 2009

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) To Kobe Bryant, a little bit of rest is way overrated. Getting ready for the playoffs is what the last stretch of the season is all about.

Bryant scored 19 points before taking the fourth quarter off, and the Los Angeles Lakers cruised to a 107-89 win against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday night.

The Lakers led from start to finish for the ninth time this season and closed within a game of idle Cleveland for the best record in the NBA, and they did it without any of their starters stepping on the floor in the last 8 minutes.

That rest could prove helpful as the Lakers continue a seven-game road trip, having won the first two games.

"I don't really care about that too much," Bryant said. "It's all about how well we're playing, if our bench comes in and holds our leads."

Lamar Odom scored 18 points before fouling out and Pau Gasol had 14 points, 14 rebounds and seven assists for Los Angeles.

Kevin Durant scored 24 points to lead Oklahoma City, which had all five starters reach double figures but never cut the Lakers' lead to less than 17 points in the second half.

"We should try to do that more often, absolutely," Gasol said. "I think it's something that shows character and consistency, and we haven't been able to do that as often as we should.

"Hopefully when we get big leads, on the road especially, we can take care of the game and make sure you continue to execute and stay focused on what you need to do well every single possession and sustain the lead," Gasol said.

Bulls 99, Pistons 91

In Chicago, Kirk Hinrich scored 24 points filling in for the injured Derrick Rose, and the Bulls pulled within a game of seventh-place Detroit in the Eastern Conference.

Tyrus Thomas had 18 points and 12 rebounds as Chicago earned its fifth win in six games.

Tayshaun Prince and Will Bynum scored 20 each for the Pistons, who clearly miss injured stars Allen Iverson, Rasheed Wallace and Richard Hamilton. Bynum also had nine assists while Antonio McDyess scored 16.

Spurs 107, Warriors 106

In San Antonio, Tony Parker scored 30 points and the Spurs finally won a close game at home.

Roger Mason scored 24 and sank the go-ahead jumper with 23.8 seconds left as San Antonio dodged a rare three-game skid after last-minute losses against Boston and Houston last week.

Monta Ellis had two chances to win it for Golden State but missed a jumper with 5.9 seconds left, then watched his running 3-pointer as time expired clank off the front of the rim.

Jazz 99, Rockets 86

In Salt Lake City, Ronnie Brewer scored 12 of his 17 points in the second half and Utah ended Houston's four-game winning streak.

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