LOS ANGELES— If eight road games in 14 were not tough enough, the Los Angeles Lakers were back home Wednesday to face the Charlotte Bobcats, a team that had beaten them four of the past six times they had played.
It figured to be a long, frustrating night for the road-weary Lakers.
The Lakers played the first three quarters seemingly with little energy. Normal, easy shots fell short and routine layups missed their mark. Kobe Bryant missed his first five shots before burying a 3-pointer late in the second quarter.
But the Lakers dug deep for any remnants of life they had in their arms and legs and pulled out a 99-97 victory, their first against the Bobcats since 2008.
It wasn’t until late in the game that the Lakers were able to take control. They took a 92-84 lead with 5:24 to play on Jordan Farmar’s first 3-pointer of the game. Ron Artest then added a free throw to give the Lakers a nine-point cushion. But the lead didn’t last as the Bobcats outscored the Lakers, 8-1, to close the gap to 93-92.
But the Lakers had more in the tank as Pau Gasol scored on a dunk then blocked a Nazr Mohammed shot. Lamar Odom then scored on a layup with 1:02 left to put the Lakers ahead, 97-92.
Flip Murray landed a desperation 3-pointer, with one second left, but it wasn’t enough as Lakers coach Phil Jackson got his 534th victory.
For once, Bryant didn’t take over at the end.
Bryant, who seemed off all game, tweaked his left ankle late in the second quarter when he got it caught under Lamar Odom’s foot as they went for a loose ball. Bryant left the court with 12.5 seconds left in the first half, and he returned to the court wearing a black sleeve on his left calf and started the third quarter.
He played the third quarter then sat out after the first three minutes of the fourth. He came back in late in the game, but didn’t take a shot. He finished with five points on 2-of-12 shooting and had six assists.
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