Kobe takes charge as Lakers beat Grizzlies

Kobe Bryant scored 21 points in his sixth game of the season, and the Los Angeles Lakers closed out a four-game road trip with a 96-92 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday night.

Pau Gasol added 21 points and nine rebounds for the Lakers, who were coming off a 114-100 loss at Atlanta on Monday night. Nick Young had 18 points, and Jodie Meeks finished with 13. Zach Randolph had 18 points and a season-high 16 rebounds for Memphis. The Grizzlies played without Mike Conley, who sat out after bruising his left thigh in Sunday's loss to Minnesota. The Grizzlies led 69-67 in the fourth quarter before the Lakers went on a 17-4 run.

Bryant played 32 minutes, matching his most action since returning from his torn left Achilles' tendon. He was 9 for 18 from the field, both season highs, despite running the offense most of the night. AP