Kobe Bryant scored 41 points on 19-for-30 shooting, Ron Artest added 19 points and DJ Mbenga scored five points and grabbed a team-leading 13 rebounds in place of injured center Andrew Bynum. Bryant had 15 points on 7-for-10 shooting in the third quarter, when the Lakers built a 12-point lead en route to their fifth victory in six games. Rudy Gay led Memphis with 22 points, and former USC standout O.J. Mayo had 15 points.

Josh Powell added 13 points in a reserve role for the Lakers, prompting Coach Phil Jackson to say, “He has been our most reliable substitute this year off the bench. He is shooting the ball well and he is much more comfortable playing in this offense. He knows the niches he can find and our players know how to use him well, too.”

The Lakers are 5-1; the Grizzlies are 1-5.