Los Angeles Lakers Team Report - March 27

(Basketball News) - Kobe Bryant scored a game-high 35 points with nine rebounds and five assists to lead the Los Angeles Lakers to a 90-73 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday at the Staples Center.

Shaquille O’Neal contributed 22 points and a game-high 18 rebounds for the Lakers, who have won seven straight.

With the win Los Angeles moved two games in front of the San Antonio Spurs for third place in the Western Conference playoff race and is now just two games back of the Sacramento Kings for the Pacific Division and overall conference lead.

Los Angeles, which played the fourth leg of a seven-game homestand on Friday, has won seven straight and nine of its last 10 at home and is 29-5 in its arena this season.

The Lakers will continue their homestand on Friday when they welcome the Utah Jazz to town in Karl Malone’s first meeting with his former team.LA has taken tow of three from the Jazz this season and could have the advantage on Sunday, as the home team in this series has won eight of the last 10 meetings.

The Lakers, who have won six of eight and nine of the last 12 matchups, have also won six straight and eight of their last nine at home against Utah.

Los Angeles is 13-1 in Sunday games this season.