Basketball: Los Angeles Lakers 102 Washington 96

Kobe Bryant scored 30 points while missing 20 shots Friday and the Los Angeles Lakers held on to defeat Washington 102-96. The Lakers recorded a much-needed victory against the NBA's worst team. Los Angeles ended a four-game losing streak that had put them 7 1/2 games behind the Pacific Division-leading Los Angeles Clippers. After taking a 14-point lead into the fourth period, the Lakers saw their advantage trimmed to three with 5:30 to go in the contest. Dwight Howard then made a hook shot and Bryant converted three free throws to boost Los Angeles back in front by eight. Bryant went 9-of-29 from the field. Jodie Meeks played 30 minutes off the bench and scored 24 points for the Lakers. Washington, a winner just three times this season in 20 outings, was led by 21 points from Cartier Martin.