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If anything else, Monday’s matchup between the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors was highly entertaining, unlike a ummmm… Miami-Orlando game.? The Lakers’ Kobe Bryant scored 23 second-half points, which were key in Los Angeles holding off Golden State 123-119 in overtime at a sold-out Oracle Arena.

The game was nip-and-tuck through 3 quarters, with Los Angeles holding a slim, 87-86 lead; the Lakers held a 110-101 lead with 3 minutes left in regulation play, but Golden State’s Monta Ellis led a 10-1 run with 2 layups and a steal that set up a basket by Kelenna Azubuike.? The Warriors’ Baron Davis tied the game with a pair of free throws with3,6 seconds left, and the Lakers’ Fisher missed?a desperation jumper, sending the game into overtime.?

After Golden State took a 4-point lead midway through the overtime period, the Lakers’ Sasha Vujacic drained a 3 with 43 seconds left, putting Los Angeles up by 2; however, Golden State’s Azubuike tied the game with a tipped basket, then the Lakers’ Lamar Odom?easily scored a layup, putting Los Angeles up by 2 again.? the turning point was an offensive foul whistled on Golden State’s Ellis; the Lakers’ Bryant made 2 free throws, icing the game.

Los Angeles was led by Bryant with 30 points, 11 rebounds, 7 assists and a steal while Odom scored 23 with 21 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals and 5 blocks; Vujacic, from off the bench, added 19 – including five 3-pointers – with a rebound, 3 assists and 2 steals while Derek Fisher pitched in with 18 – including 4 treys – along with 4 assists.?

Golden State was led by Davis with 30 points – including 3 treys – with 9 rebounds, 7 assists and 4 steals while Stephen Jackson scored 29 – including five 3-pointers – with 7 rebounds, 3 assists and a steal; Al Harrington added 19 with 12 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals while Ellis and Azubuike chipped in with 18 each – with Ellis being one rebound and assist from a triple-double (9 of each), while recording 3 steals.? Azubuike grabbed?7 rebounds and had a steal.? Los Angeles (49-22) will now fly east to Charlotte to take on the Bobcats Wednesday while Golden State takes the short flight to Portland to face the Trail Blazers – also on Wednesday.