Los Angeles Lakers Kobe Bryant goes up to score against the Phoenix Suns during their NBA basketball game in Los Angeles December 25, 2007.

 

The surging Los Angeles Lakers scored a 122-115 win over the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday, with Kobe Bryant knocking down 38 points and Andrew Bynum adding a career-high 28.

 

The victory was the third in a row for the Lakers and their ninth in their last 11 games. They moved to within one game of first-place Phoenix in the Pacific division.

 

"We are aware of the standings, but we also know that last year we were 10 games over .500 and moving along -- then injuries slayed the dragon, so to speak," Lakers coach Phil Jackson told reporters. "We just have to play every game and not think about anything else, just what's ahead of us."

 

Bryant, who on Sunday became the youngest player to reach 20,000 points, scored 26 of his 38 in the second half to help the Lakers improve to 18-10.

 

"I think we are a solid team," said Bryant, who also had seven assists and five rebounds.

 

"When you play against Phoenix, you have to be solid. You can afford a couple of mistakes here and there but ultimately your defensive execution has to be there, and your offensive execution has to be there. We're able to get it done consistently."

 

Improving young center Bynum was 11-for-13 from the floor as LA beat Phoenix for the second time in a row.

 

"This definitely was one of my better games," said the 20-year-old. "Made a big impact, team mates looking for me, wide open a lot of times and they found me today."

 

Steve Nash led the Suns with 24 points and 14 assists but Phoenix has lost five of its last eight.

 

"I hate playing on Christmas Day," said Phoenix guard Raja Bell. "It's part of the job but it's the part that you don't like that much."

 

The visiting Cleveland Cavaliers rallied from a 10-point deficit to beat the Miami Heat 98-82. LeBron James scored 25 points and dished out 12 assists. He also took a shot to the jaw from Shaquille O'Neal.

 

"I got elbowed by Shaq in the face, which is never a good thing," said James, whose jaw was swollen after the game. Miami dropped to 8-20, the worst record in the Eastern Conference.

 

The Portland Trail Blazers won their 11th in a row, scoring an 89-79 home victory over the Seattle SuperSonics.

 

(Reuters via CRI.cn December 27, 2007)