Date - Sunday, December 9 2007 9:30PM
Location - Staples Center, Los Angeles, California
Officials - #56 Mark Ayotte,#54 Derrick Collins,#10 Ron Garretson
Attendance - 18997

LOS ANGELES (AP) -The Golden State Warriors needed a victory Sunday night to complete their best record in a 14-game span since the 1975-76 season.

Unfortunately, they were playing the Los Angeles Lakers, and that hasn't proven to be in their best interests for some time.

Kobe Bryant scored 20 of his 28 points in the second half, six teammates joined him in double figures, and the Lakers pulled away late to beat the Warriors 123-113 for their ninth straight win over their in-state rivals.

The win was the third straight for the Lakers (12-8), who have won 14 of their last 15 games over Golden State and have a 16-1 record against the Warriors at Staples Center since the facility opened eight years ago.

"It's a game of matchups," said Bryant, who had six rebounds and a season-high eight assists. "They pride themselves on playing small ball. We match up pretty well with them."

The Warriors (11-9) were shooting for their 12th win in 14 games - their most most victories in a 14-game span since they went 13-2 during a 15-game stretch 32 years ago.

"They're a big team, and we just got outhustled," said Baron Davis, who led the Warriors with 20 points, eight rebounds and seven assists. "I think the reason why we lose to them is that we let the other guys - their bench - get those 8, 10s and 12s.

"Somebody for them is always having a career game against us."

That would be Andrew Bynum in this game. The 20-year-old center matched a career high with 20 points and also had 11 rebounds and five blocked shots. Derek Fisher scored 15 points; Lamar Odom added 14 points, 10 rebounds and six assists, and Vladimir Radmanovic also scored 14 for the Lakers.

Stephen Jackson scored 18 points, Mickael Pietrus added 14 and Monta Ellis had 13 for the Golden State.

"We played a stellar second half," Lakers coach Phil Jackson said. "We were able to get it to Andrew and use him to our advantage."

Bryant said he believes that through 20 games, the Lakers are "playing well enough to keep our heads above water."

"I think the key for us is to keep getting better, believe we can get better," he said.

The Warriors scored five straight points to cut the Lakers' lead to four early in the fourth quarter before two baskets by Bryant and a 3-pointer by Radmanovic triggered a 17-4 run that put the game away.

"Defensively, we got stops when we needed to," Odom said. "When everyone gets involved offensively, that really helps our defense. We need more games like that.

"We knew how they were going to play. Their style is real loose. Games like that are always fun to play."

Fisher said he believes the Lakers' size advantage has been the key to their dominance of the Warriors.

"That was evident tonight when you've got a force in the middle you can get the ball to and make their defense collapse," he said. "I think Andrew Bynum was the difference in the game."

Bynum shot 9-of-14 while playing 28 minutes.

"They're a smaller team. They have a bunch of matchup problems," he said. "Things went well for me tonight. I got the ball down low and they went down for me."

The Warriors scored 12 straight points for a 71-68 lead early in the third quarter. They led 73-70 when 3-pointers by Bryant and Fisher triggered an 18-4 run that put the Lakers ahead 88-77. They led the rest of the way.

"We were beaten, outplayed, and they deserved to win," Warriors coach Don Nelson said. "They certainly played better than we did."

Neither team led by more than seven points in the first half, which ended with the Lakers on top 60-59 thanks to an 11-3 run to finish the second quarter. Bryant shot 3-of-13 for eight points in the half.

Bryant and Odom, the Lakers' leading scorers, combined to shoot 1-of-8 and score five points in the first quarter, but their teammates went 11-of-16 and the teams were tied 31-all. Davis scored 15 for the Warriors.

Notes: The Warriors outrebounded the Lakers 47-38. ... Miami's Pat Riley joined Nelson and Lenny Wilkens as the only NBA coaches to reach the 1,200-victory plateau when the Heat beat the Clippers 100-94 in the first half of a Sunday doubleheader at Staples Center. "I'm happy for him," Nelson said. "I'm glad it wasn't against us. He probably should have had it against us." Nelson referred to Golden State's 120-113 victory over Miami on Friday night, when the Warriors rallied from an 18-point deficit. ... Lakers C Kwame Brown missed his 11th game with injuries to his left knee and ankle, and teammate Luke Walton didn't play because of the sprained right ankle he suffered during practice Friday. ... Lakers F Ronny Turiaf returned after missing two games because of a concussion and scored 10 points in 20 minutes. ... Golden State's DJ Mbenga scored seven points in 14 minutes. He entered having scored six points in 14 minutes this season.

Lakers vs Warriors News
10/10/07 Golden State 111 Lakers 110
03/25/07 Golden State 113 Lakers 115
02/25/07 L.A. Lakers 102, Golden State 85
02/25/07 Lakers vs Warriors preview
11/02/06 Lakers 110, Warriors 98
11/02/06 Lakers Warriors Preview

Glen Davis
Position: F
Class: Junior
Ht: 6-9 Wt: 289
College: LSU
Hometown: Baton Rouge

NBA Future:
DeMarcus Cousins
DeMarcus Cousins is a big PF who averaged 26 pts, 15 rebounds, 10 assists, 70% FG and 80% FT per game as a freshman in high school last year. DeMarcus Cousins has developing post moves, is an excellent rebounder, and a solid athlete. DeMarcus Cousins' ability to overpower players gives him a very high ceiling. DeMarcus Cousins has a 7'3" wingspan and 9'0" standing reach. DeMarcus Cousins is very raw. DeMarcus Cousins needs to work on his footwork and decision making mostly. DeMarcus Cousins offense is coming along fine, but he needs to become more of a leader on defense. DeMarcus Cousins consistency is also a problem against top competition.

NBA Future:
Brandon Rush, Glen Davis , Javars Crittenton, Daeqan Cook, Elton Brand.

•Finals Game 6 Preview: Celtics vs. Lakers
•Finals Game 4 Preview: Celtics vs. Lakers
•Finals Game 3 Preview: Celtics vs. Lakers
•Finals Game 1 Preview: Celtics vs. Lakers
•Game 5 Preview: Spurs vs. Lakers
•Game 4 Preview: Spurs vs. Lakers
•Game 2 Preview: Spurs vs. Lakers
•Game 1 Preview: Spurs vs. Lakers
•Game 5 Preview: Jazz vs. Lakers
•Game 2 Preview: Jazz vs. Lakers
•Game 3 Preview: Nuggets vs. Lakers
•Game 2 Preview: Nuggets vs. Lakers
•Preview: Kings vs. Lakers
•Preview: Clippers vs. Lakers
•Preview: Grizzlies vs. Lakers
•Preview: Bobcats vs. Lakers
•Preview: Warriors vs. Lakers
•Preview: Mavericks vs. Lakers
•Preview: Raptors vs. Lakers
•Preview: Clippers vs. Lakers
•Preview: Heat vs. Lakers
•Preview: Suns vs. Lakers
•Preview: Timberwolves vs. Lakers
•Preview: Bobcats vs. Lakers
•Preview: Heat vs. Lakers
•Preview: Hawks vs. Lakers
•Preview: Pistons vs. Lakers
•Preview: Knicks vs. Lakers
•Preview: Mavericks vs. Lakers
•Preview: Spurs vs. Lakers
•Preview: Nuggets vs. Lakers
•Lakers Head to Seattle Without Injured Bynum
•Preview: Bucks vs. Lakers
•Preview: Grizzlies vs. Lakers
•Preview: 76ers vs. Lakers
•Preview: 76ers vs. Lakers
•Preview: Cavaliers vs. Lakers
•Preview: Bulls vs. Lakers
•Preview: Warriors vs. Lakers
•Preview: Spurs vs. Lakers
•Preview: Nuggets vs Lakers 12/05/07
•Preview: Timberwolves vs Lakers 12/04/07
•Preview: Nuggets vs Lakers 11/29/07
•Preview: Sonics vs Lakers 11/27/07
•Spurs vs Lakers Preview 11/13/07
•Preview: New Orleans Hornets at L.A. Lakers
•Lakers vs Rockets Preview 12/12/06
•Lakers vs Spurs Preview 12/10/06
•Lakers Vs Hawks Preview 12/08/06
•Lakers Vs Pacers 12/04/06
•Lakers Vs Clippers Preview 12/02/06
•Lakers vs Jazz Preview 11-30-06
•Lakers vs Bucks preview 11/28/06
•Lakers vs Nets preview 11/26/06
•Lakers vs Jazz preview 11/24/06
•Lakers vs Clippers preview 11/21/06
•Lakers vs Bulls preview 11/18/06
•Lakers Vs Raptors Preview
•Lakers Vs Pistons Preview
•Lakers Vs Grizzlies Preview
•Lakers Vs Pistons Preview
•Timberwolves Vs Lakers Preview
•Lakers Vs SuperSonics Preview
• Lakers Vs SuperSonics Preview
• Lakers Vs Warriors Preview
• Lakers Vs Suns Preview

Jordan Farmar news:
•Rookie Farmar says he's living Hollywood dream with Lakers
• Grizzlies challenge Farmar
• Stars come out at Camp
• NBA considerations distant memory for pair of eager Cats

Kobe Bryant news:
•Kobe Bryant apologizes to Lakers GM
•Kobe Bryant Wins Scoring Title
•Kobe has most popular jersey in USA, China
•Bryant Proves the Best
•Wade beats Bryant for another Skills Challenge win
•Memorabilia Offered by Kobe Bryant and Upper Deck
•Los Angeles Lakers Kobe Bryant Suspended
•Why did Kobe change to 24?
•Kobe Bryant: Won't Play This Week
•Kobe Bryant to Collab with Lil Wayne
•Lakers' Kobe Bryant ready for another run as NBA season nears
•Kobe Bryant Dunk Videos
•Kobe Bryant Videos
•Kobe Bryant Scores the Cover of NBA '07 for PlayStation
•Los Angeles Lakers All-Star Kobe Bryant Scores the Cover of NBA '07

Los Angeles news:
• Los Angeles news
•Los Angeles Concerts news
• Beckham Signs with Los Angeles Galaxy
• Top 10 Most Valuable NBA Franchise
• 10 Ten things to do in Los Angeles
• Lower back spasms from the court.
• Top 10 Los Angeles Restaurants.
• Top 10 Los Angeles Experiences

JR Pinnock news:
• Lakers sign JR Pinnock

Smush Parker news:
• Smush Parker Basketball Camp

Staples Center news:
•Get up to the minute Los Angeles Concert tour news
•Garth Brooks To Play Staples Center Benefit Shows For Fire Victims
•Bon Jovi Staples Center
•Van Halen Staples Center Dec 14th
•Wild try to continue hot start in LA
•Hyundai Returns to X Games 13 Rally Car Racing
• Rumorville Eric Clapton to play the Staples Center
• Grady Brewer wins 'Contender 2' in a split decision over Steve Forbes
• Cirque comes the LA Staples Center

Phil Jackson news:
• Lakers coach Jackson fined US$25,000
• Phil Jackson to have hip surgery