NBA: Lakers win third straight in Gasol's return

At one point during the game, the Los Angeles Lakers found themselves staring down an 18-point deficit. Then, slowly but surely, they began to overcome it. 

 

The Lakers won their third game in a row, rallying from a huge Charlotte Bobcats lead to take a 101-100 win, Tuesday (Wednesday, PHL time) at the Staples Center in LA, in Pau Gasol's return from injury. 

 

Gasol had missed nine games, dating back to the end of November, but in his return, stuffed the stats sheet to the tune of 10 points, nine rebounds, five assists and four blocks, to help LA improve to 12-14, 8-6 on their homecourt. 

 

Charlotte on the other hand sank to 7-17, losers of their last 12. 

 

A lay-up by Kemba Walker had it at 80-62, with 5:37 left in the third quarter, but the Lakers closed out the period on a 15-4 run, to trail by just seven entering the fourth quarter. 

 

13 unanswered by LA put them up by six, 90-84, with 8:56 to play, drawing a Bobcats timeout. Bismack Biyombo later on hit in-close to knot things at 95-all, with a little more than three minutes remaining. 

 

Back-to-back hits by Kobe Bryant had LA up four, 101-97, but an and-one play by former Laker Ramon Sessions drew the Bobcats to within a point. 

 

Bryant was unable to add to the lead, missing a 21-footer, which gave Charlotte 21 ticks to work with. Off a timeout, Walker's attempt was rejected by Dwight Howard. Charlotte managed to get the rebound, but missed two more looks before the final buzzer sounded, allowing LA to walk off their floor with a "W." 

 

Kobe Bryant had yet another 30-point night, in addition to six rebounds and seven assists. Metta World Peace scored 17 off the bench, while Dwight Howard managed a double-double of 16 points and 18 caroms. 

 

Charlotte guard Kemba Walker had 28 points, nearly matching Bryant's total. Sessions notched 20 of Charlotte's 25 bench points, while Walker's fellow starter in the backcourt Gerald Henderson, chimed in with 19. 

 

The visiting Bobcats tallied more fast break points and points in the paint, but the Lakers still won this game late. - AMD, GMA News