Bryant sets new mark to lift LA

Kobe the youngest player to reach 31,000-point barrier as Lakers overcome Dallas in tough clash

Kobe Bryant was just a little better than Dirk Nowitzki in a spirited game befitting Western Conference leaders - not teams battling for ninth place.

Bryant had 38 points to win a scoring duel with Nowitzki, and Steve Nash helped beat his former team by getting 20 points for the first time with the Los Angeles Lakers in a 103-99 victory against the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday.