Kobe Bryant propels LA Lakers past Chicago Bulls

Kobe Bryant willed on an otherwise sluggish LA Lakers team and staved off the pesky Chicago Bulls, pouring home a season - high 42 points despite a broken right index finger, in LA' 96-87 victory at the United Center.

Andrew Bynum added 11 points and Pau Gasol contributed a double-double with 10 points and 16 rebounds for the LA Lakers, who started a new winning streak after having their 11-game spurt halted on Saturday.

Derrick Rose and Luol Deng each scored 21 points, while Joakim Noah grabbed 20 rebounds and scored 11 points for Chicago, which has won just twice in its last 13 games. Brad Miller added 15 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists in a losing effort.

Chicago bulls came out ready to play, taking an early 14-4 lead after two Noah free throws. Rose left the game for some time with a strained left rib, and Kobe Bryant took over with 20 first-quarter points, keeping the game tight at 31-31 after 12 minutes of game action.

The Lakers took a 54-48 edge into the half and kept the Chicago Bulls at bay, extending their edge to 62-57 on a Ron Artest three almost midway through the third quarter. The Chicago Bulls then tied the game at 64-64 on a Deng jumper and one Noah free throw gave the home-standing team the edge moments later. Chicago held a 73-72 advantage after three quarters.

LA Lakers went on a 14-4 run to begin the fourth, capped by Bryant's long two-point jumper for an 86-77 advantage with 6:35 to play. The Chicago Bulls never drew closer than six points the rest of the way.

Game Notes Noah grabbed 14 of Chicago's 22 offensive rebounds, making up for the Bulls' 38.5 percent shooting night and 2-of-11 effort from beyond the arc...The LA Lakers made 45.6 percent of their shots, but also struggled from long distance, making just 4-of-20 three-point shots...The game featured six ties and seven lead changes...Chicago Bulls had 21 second-chance points to just 10 for the LA Lakers.

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