Kobe's 39 leads Lakers past Warriors, 97-90

BOX SCORE
LOS ANGELES -- The Warriors, playing without Stephen Curry and Andris Biedrins, lost for the 16th time in 17 games at Staples Center to the Lakers, 97-90. They finished their road trip at 0-3, and have now lost four in a row and are 2-5 on the season.Star of the game: Kobe Bryant did most of his work in the second half, scoring 26 of his game-high 39 points and helping the Lakers bounce back after being down to the Warriors 39-35 at half.

Key stretch: The Warriors were hanging in late in the third quarter, down just 57-56. But the Lakers finished the period on a 10-2 run, and took a 67-58 lead into the fourth quarter.The Warriors made a run or two in the fourth and cut the deficit to 85-82 with three-plus minutes remaining, but the Lakers ripped off six straight to put an end to that.Hes playing great, Warriors coach Mark Jackson said. Very aggressive, carrying that team offensively and hes their lone playmaker. Hes playing great, but thats no surprise. Thats who he is.
The real hurter was Bryants 27-footer at the buzzerover an outstretched handthat gave the Lakers big momentum.Its not enough to hang in there, Jackson said. Were not surprised about thatYou shoot that ball on the road, you outscore them three out of four quarters, you battle. Another tough loss but we did some very good things out there on the floor.Tale of two halves: Bryant seemed to be letting the game come to him in the first half, but he appeared to have enough of that once the third quarter came around. Bryant had 13 points at halftime going 5-for-10 from the field. Bryant took 11 shots in the third quarter aloneknocking down sixand just like that he had 30 points heading into the fourth quarter.Corner turn coming?: Warriors guard Monta Ellis, who finished 18 points, 10 assists and five steals, was pretty upbeat after the game, all things considered. He said he is no less optimistic about the Warriors after their 2-5 start than he was at the beginning of the year.This is a long season. Weve got a lot more games to play. Were going to turn that corner eventually. This is just a learning experience for this team. I still feel great about (this team).Jacksons first T: Jackson earned his first technical foul of the season with 2:27 remaining in the fourth quarter. He didnt get it for profanity, we know that. Jackson doesnt swear. So, what happened?I asked for a technical foul because my guys were working their tails off, Jackson said. And I refuse to watch them fight and come up on the short end.Bench play:Jackson went to his bench early on Friday and they produced. Nate Robinson, Ekpe Udoh, Klay Thompson and Brandon Rush helped lift the Warriors to an early 27-21 lead.Robinson was the teams leading scorer at halftime with nine points and thats what he ended up with. Thompson finished with 14 points, a career-high.I still have a long ways to go, Robinson said. Coach said play your game, have fun and be yourself. Its easy playing off Monta. Its fun. Were energetic and we play hard.
No Biedrins: Warriors center Andris Biedrins missed Fridays game against the Lakers because of a right ankle sprain and toe injury. Biedrins sustained the injury early in the San Antonio game on Wednesday.Kwame Brown started in Biedrins place against the Lakers.