MINNEAPOLIS -- For all the body parts that have failed the Lakers this season, it's clear that when Kobe Bryant's mind is right on offense and Dwight Howard plays out of his mind on defense, the Lakers can still win.
The Lakers avoided their fourth consecutive loss by handling Minnesota, 120-117, on Wednesday night in their first full game without Metta World Peace, possibly out for the season with a knee injury.
It was still close, with Bryant getting away with a possible foul as Ricky Rubio shot a potential tying 3-pointer before the final buzzer.
Bryant modified his behavior after over-shooting in the past two games and looked to get teammates involved more from a point-guard position. The offense also flowed better without World Peace's ball-stopping urges, and World Peace's defensive presence wasn't missed as much without Minnesota having much wing firepower and Howard dominating at that end anyway.
Howard had five steals and five blocks, playing through some early foul trouble that didn't stop him from staying active. He struggled late by shooting 2 for 8 on free throws with Minnesota doing Hack-a-Dwight deliberate fouling, as the Lakers' lead dropped to three points in the final minute -- but Howard finished with 25 points and 16 rebounds. He said he was out to make amends after being "a step slow" last game.
Pau Gasol, in his third game back from a foot injury, flourished in additional sets with Bryant in the third quarter (the Lakers' highest-scoring quarter of the season: 41 points) and finished with 17 points on 8-of-12 shooting. Gasol called it "a big step" for him.
Besides seven assists, Bryant still scored 31 points on 12-of-21 shooting and is 34 points behind Wilt Chamberlain for fourth on the NBA's all-time scoring list.
The Lakers beat Minnesota for the 22nd consecutive time, the longest active winning streak by one NBA team over another.
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