Date: November 17, 2009
Staples Center,
Los Angeles,CA

First of all, all video credits to JD2K for this one. Kobe Bryant scored 40 points for the 100th time in his career, and the Los Angeles Lakers avoided a rare three-game losing streak with a 106-93 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday night.

Andrew Bynum had 17 points and 12 rebounds for the Lakers, who took a 28-point lead before surviving Detroit's impressive fourth-quarter rally to avoid their first three-game skid in nearly two years, following back-to-back losses to Denver and Houston.

Bryant didn't appear to be slowed by his strained groin while scoring 27 points in the middle two quarters before reaching 40 on a 3-pointer with 19 seconds left. With four 40-point games already this season after getting just four all last year, Kobe trails only Wilt Chamberlain (271) and Michael Jordan (173) in 40-point games in NBA history.

Will Bynum scored 10 of his 24 points in the final period for the Pistons, who opened a four-game West Coast trip with their second straight loss. Detroit chopped the Lakers' lead to 98-91 with 1:55 to play before former Michigan State guard Shannon Brown made three free throws and a soaring dunk to seal it.

Bryant led the Lakers in scoring for the 10th time in 11 games. Andrew Bynum also was steady again, delivering his eighth game with at least 10 points and 10 rebounds.

The Lakers still haven't lost three straight games since Pau Gasol joined the club on Feb. 1, 2008, although Gasol again was out of the lineup with a hamstring injury. Gasol might try to play for the first time this season Thursday night against Chicago.

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