Kobe Bryant scored 22 points and added 13 assists to lead the Lakers over the Minnesota Timberwolves tonight at Staples Center. The Lakers have won five consecutive games and have a 10-game streak against the Timberwolves. Lamar Odom added 18 points in a reserve role, Pau Gasol had 17 points and a team-leading 14 rebounds. Jordan Farmar scored 12 points and Ron Artest had 10. Andrew Bynum scored 11 before he suffered a strained left Achilles tendon in the third quarter and could not return to the game.
Here’s what Bynum said as he walked from the arena with his foot in a walking boot: “I was running back on (defense). It was just really sharp and really quick. It was one or two seconds and then it calmed down. I didn’t do anything. I was just running this time. I’m calm right now. It doesn’t hurt real bad.”