Playing on Christmas is a tradition of sorts for the Los Angeles Lakers. Achieving success, on the other hand, has been an allusive task in recent years.
Behind Kobe Bryant's 38 points and a career-high 28 and 12 rebounds from Andrew Bynum, the Lakers snapped a five-game losing streak on the holiday by defeating the Phoenix Suns, 122-115, at the Staples Center.
Derek Fisher had 15 of his 17 points in the first half and Lamar Odom had 14 and 14 rebounds for the Lakers, who have played on Christmas every year since 1999. Their last victory on the holiday came during an 88-82 win over the Philadelphia 76ers in 2001.
The Suns, meanwhile, have not played on Christmas in 11 years, when they lost to the Lakers.
Tuesday's affair featured two potent offenses as both teams didn't hesitate to push the pace to break-neck levels.
It was Bryant, though, who found a second gear late in the game. Fresh off of becoming the youngest player in NBA history to reach 20,000 points, the All-Star guard poured in 12 fourth-quarter points to help the Lakers pull away.
After Bynum followed Odom's missed jumper with a put-back to go ahead 106-99, Bryant hit two jumpers and two free throws for a 10-point lead.
The Suns, who came in averaging a league-best 109.5 points per game, went cold in the final quarter.
Steve Nash finished with 24 points and 14 assists, Amare Stoudemire added 19 points and Shawn Marion and Raja Bell each chipped in 15 apiece for the Suns.
The Lakers took a three-point advantage heading into the final quarter after Bryant drove through the lane and finished with an emphatic dunk to close the third.
In his first start, Trevor Ariza had 14 points for Los Angeles, which has won nine of the last 11 games at home.
Source: National Post Canada - December 25, 2007 - Jonathan Raber