NBA Game Summary - LA Lakers at Charlotte

Charlotte, NC (SportsNetwork.com) - The fourth time was the charm for Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers.

Bryant netted 21 points and hit a pair of free throws to give the Lakers the lead with 37.1 seconds remaining in an 88-85 win over the Charlotte Bobcats Saturday night.

It was the first time in four tries that Los Angeles won this season with Bryant in the lineup since he returned from his Achilles injury.

The Lakers trailed 85-79 with 2:50 left after Kemba Walker nailed a jumper, but Los Angeles closed the contest on a 9-0 run.

Following Walker's make, Nick Young hit a triple and Bryant drove in for a layup with 1:22 to go to cut the gap to one.

After Bryant made his foul shots, Gerald Henderson was unable to get his right baseline jumper to drop. Al Jefferson secured the offensive rebound, but missed a short jumper following a timeout.

Pau Gasol nailed two free throws with 6.2 ticks on the clock and Ben Gordon's desperation 3-pointer from the right wing came up short to seal the outcome.