Pacers beat Rockets; Yao Ming had 24, 13 rebounds
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-11-21 09:22

Kobe not enough to save Lakers from Bulls

Chris Duhon scored 11 of his 21 points in the fourth quarter, and the Chicago Bulls beat the Los Angeles Lakers 96-93 on Sunday night despite 43 points by Kobe Bryant, matching an NBA single-game high this season.

Michael Sweetney, who had 20 points and 12 rebounds, made a free throw with 24.8 seconds remaining to give the Bulls a 94-93 lead, and Bryant missed badly from close range about 10 seconds later.

Duhon was fouled and made two free throws with 11 seconds left to complete the scoring. Bryant and Lamar Odom each missed 3-pointers before time expired.

The Bulls won their first game after three losses on their annual Western swing while the circus is at the United Center. Chicago is 2-41 on this yearly trip that began in 1999.

Bryant, who shot 17-of-34, didn't score after his basket with 7:25 to play gave the Lakers an 84-77 lead. Washington's Gilbert Arenas also scored 43 points in a game against San Antonio on Nov. 12.

Los Angeles played without starting forward Kwame Brown, expected to be sidelined up to two weeks due to a strained right hamstring. Forwards Slava Medvedenko and Luke Walton are sidelined with injuries as well, leaving the Lakers very thin up front.

Kirk Hinrich had 16 points and eight assists and Luol Deng scored 14 for the Bulls. Duhon also had eight assists. Tyson Chandler had 15 rebounds to lead Chicago to a 48-38 advantage in that department.

Chris Mihm added 13 points for the Lakers. Odom, averaging 14.8 points, was held to six. He was limited to 29 minutes by foul problems.

Lakers rookie Andrew Bynum scored his first NBA points on a dunk with 9:38 left, and added two free throws 29 seconds later to give the Lakers a 76-74 lead — their first since the opening period.

After a 3-pointer by Duhon, the Lakers outscored the Bulls 11-2 for an 87-79 lead. Sasha Vujacic made two 3-pointers and Bryant scored the other five points during the run.

Hinrich and Duhon each made two 3-pointers and Andres Nocioni added a layup during a 14-4 spurt that gave the Bulls a 93-92 lead. A free throw by Odom with 1:25 to play tied the game at 93.

Bryant scored eight straight Los Angeles points to give him 35 before coming out for the first time with 4:10 left in the third period and the Lakers trailing 67-65. He sat out nearly 2 minutes, returning with the game tied.

The Bulls led 74-71 entering the final period.