Kobe stays hot as ravaged Lakers top Grizzlies

LeBron James of Cleveland Cavaliers greets New York Yankees' Alex Rodriguez at the New York Knicks game.

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KOBE Bryant became the youngest National Basketball Association player to reach 24,000 points on Friday, the Lakers' guard scoring 41 to lead injury-hit Los Angeles to a 114-98 home 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.

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 offseason.

Elsewhere in the NBA, it was: Cavaliers 100, Knicks 91; Trail Blazers 96, Spurs 84; Clippers 118, Warriors 90; Suns 110, Celtics 103; Magic 110, Pistons 103; Bucks 87, Timberwolves 72; Heat 96, Nuggets 88; Pacers 102, Wizards 86; 76ers 97, Nets 94; Raptors 107, Hornets 90; Bobcats 103, Hawks 83; and Rockets 105, Thunder 94.

In Los Angeles, Rudy Gay recorded a team-high 22 points and Zach Randolph had 21 for the Grizzlies (1-5), who lost their fourth in a row.

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