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Lakers solve their problem in Portland -- without the help of Bryant - NBA star sits to rest ankle, ending his consecutive games streak at 235; L.A. snaps nine-game losing streak at Rose Garden

PORTLAND, Ore. - Hours before the Lakers ended their nine-game losing streak at the Rose Garden, Kobe Bryant limped through the locker room slowly Saturday night. He was dressed to play in purple and gold, but wore a glum look on his face.

Bryant tapped a reporter on the shoulder, nodded and headed for the training room to receive treatment on his sprained left ankle. He never made it to the court, sitting out his first game since March 7, 2007, his streak of consecutive contests ending at 235.

The Lakers went to work without him and center Andrew Bynum, who suffered a hip contusion in the first half and didn't play a minute in the second. It was not exactly an ideal scenario to try to end their longest losing streak anywhere in the NBA.

But the Lakers pulled together to beat the Portland Trail Blazers 99-82.

Significant contributions came from expected and unexpected sources as Lakers coach Phil Jackson searched high and low for help with Bryant unable to play   Read Full Article...