Lakers 84, Trail Blazers 80 (final)

In the fourth quarter, Kobe Bryant took over, despite a sore neck and sprained left ankle.

Bryant scored 10 of his 22 points in the fourth.

He was five for 10 from the field in the fourth, nine for 20 for the game.

Bryant knocked the ball away from Andre Miller, allowing Derek Fisher to pick up the loose basketball.

Fisher fed Bryant for a dunk to tie the score at 76-76.

Then Fisher got a steal and went in for a layup for a 78-76 Lakers lead.

Bryant scored back-to-back baskets for an 82-77 lead.

The basket with 32.9 seconds left came after Ron Artest was called for a technical foul after he became entangled with Gerald Wallace.

After Bryant scored, he yelled and pulled on his jersey.

Trail Blazers 66, Lakers 62 (end of third quarter)

It was not a good shooting quarter for the Lakers.

Among the highlights of my conversation with the Columbian's Matt Calkins:

-- How Andrew Bynum's two-game suspension and Kobe Bryant's nagging injuries affect the game from the Blazers' standpoint

-- What the addition of Gerald Wallace does for Portland

-- Why Portland would be better suited facing Dallas in the first round of the NBA playoffs over the Lakers and Oklahoma City

-- Why Blazers Coach Nate McMillan isn't a fan of "3 Goggles."

You can follow more of Calkins' work at the Columbian's website and on Twitter.

--Mark Medina

E-mail the Lakers blog at mgmedin@gmail.com