Kobe Bryant Paces Lakers To A 124-105 Victory Over Grizzlies

Los Angeles, CA (Sports Network) - Kobe Bryant scored all 23 of his points in a dominant first half, leading the Los Angeles Lakers in a 124-105 rout of the Memphis Grizzlies at Staples Center.

Former Memphis forward Pau Gasol added 21 points, 13 rebounds and five assists for the Lakers, who improved to 4-0 on the young season. Lamar Odom contributed with 17 points, eight boards and six assists in the resounding win.

Rudy Gay had 30 points to lead all scorers for Memphis, which has split its first four games of the season. Mike Conley, fresh off signing a multi-year extension, chipped in with 16 points in defeat. Marc Gasol posted 11 points and eight rebounds for the Grizzlies.

Los Angeles never trailed in the game, taking control from the beginning.

The Lakers began the contest on a 13-2 surge, capped by a Bryant 21-foot jumper five minutes into the game. The lead extended to 26-15 after a pair of free throws from Odom, and it was 34-23 after 12 minutes.

The advantage ballooned when Los Angeles scored 19 of the first 24 points in the second quarter, with Odom's triple giving the Lakers a commanding 53-28 advantage. Bryant had 23 points in the first half, helping LA take a 73-46 lead into the locker room.

The Grizzlies trimmed their deficit all the way to 14 at 81-67 after Gay made a pair of free throws with five minutes left in the third, but the Lakers took a comfortable 97-76 cushion into the fourth.

The game's outcome was not in question in the final 12 minutes.

The Lakers have won seven of the last eight meetings with the Grizzlies, including four straight at home...Memphis forward Zach Randolph (back) did not play...LA shot 51.2 percent, including 14-of-23 from three-point range.