Lakers 139, Suns 137 (3 OT)

Many of the numbers were staggering. The Lakers needed three overtimes and 3 hours, 9 minutes to defeat the Phoenix Suns tonight at Staples Center for their fifth consecutive victory and their 13th in 14 games since the All-Star Break. Kobe Bryant scored a season-high 42 points, grabbed 12 rebounds and added nine assists in 48 minutes. It was his third game with 41 points or more this season. Lamar Odom scored a season-high 29 points, grabbed 16 rebounds and added five assists in a team-leading 55:13. Pau Gasol had 24 points and 13 rebounds in 52:22. Channing Frye scored 32 points in 56:59 for Phoenix. Marcin Gortat added 24 points in 53:05 in a reserve role for the Suns, and Steve Nash scored 19 points with five rebounds and 20 assists.

Said Odom: “I’m tired. I want to go home. I’m hungry for pancakes.”

Said Bryant: “We rallied, stuck with it and won the game.”

Said Lakers coach Phil Jackson: “I was hoping to be home by 11 o’clock.”

It was the Lakers’ first triple OT game since a Dec. 29, 2006 loss to Charlotte.