Los Angeles Lakers Team Report - April 3

(Basketball News) - Kobe Bryant scored 25 points and Shaquille O’Neal added 23 points and grabbed 14 rebounds to lead the red-hot Los Angeles Lakers to a 97-86 win over Seattle at KeyArena.

Gary Payton netted 17 points and Karl Malone added 14 points and eight boards for the Lakers, who have won 11 straight games and took over sole possession for the top spot in the Western Conference.

Los Angeles leads both Minnesota and Sacramento for the top spot in the conference.

The Lakers will return to action on Sunday when they kick off a three-game homestand against the San Antonio Spurs. LA has won 10 straight and 12 of its last 13 at home and is a sparkling 32-5 in its building this season.

Los Angeles has beaten the Spurs three times already this season, but has lost five of the last nine meetings. The Lakers, though, have won three of five at home in this series.