Kobe stays hot for injury-hit Lakers

Los Angeles: Kobe Bryant became the youngest NBA player to reach 24,000 points on Friday, the Lakers' guard scoring 41 to lead injury-hit Los Angeles to a 114-98 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies.

Bryant made 19-of-30 shots for his second 40-point performance in a row, and his third in four games, as last season's NBA champions carved out another win despite the absence of injured starters Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum.

"It's always a great honour to be in that elite category," Bryant told reporters.

"To build momentum and get back to that championship level we need to have everybody here. Hopefully, [our guys] get back sooner than later."

Ron Artest had 11 of his 19 points in the third quarter where the Lakers (5-1) used a 9-0 spurt to build a 74-64 advantage.

Artest added seven assists and six rebounds as he continues to grow comfortable with his new team having signed with Los Angeles in the off-season.

Results
home team in CAPS

CHARLOTTE 103 Atlanta 83

INDIANA 102 Washington 86

ORLANDO 110 Detroit 103

P'DELPHIA 97 New Jersey 94

Phoenix 110 BOSTON 103

MIAMI 96 Denver 88

Milwaukee 87 MINNESOTA 72

Toronto 107 N ORLEANS 90

Cleveland 100 NY KNICKS 91

HOUSTON 105 Oklahoma City 94

LA Clippers 118 G STATE 90

LA LAKERS 114 Memphis 98

PORTLAND 96 San Antonio 84