NBA: Los Angeles Lakers 99, New York 82

Kobe Bryant paced Los Angeles with 28 points in 33 minutes Thursday, bringing the Lakers a 99-82 win over New York. Los Angeles played on four of the first five days of the NBA season and split those games. New York has lost two out of three to start the campaign. The Lakers owned a 10-point lead to begin the fourth period and then held the Knicks to four points during the first half of the final quarter. Pau Gasol added 16 points and 10 rebounds for Los Angeles, which shot 52 percent from the field and converted nine of its 16 3-point attempts. Steve Blake contributed 11 points off the bench. Carmelo Anthony had 27 points and seven rebounds for the Knicks.