Football
19y

Rose might have injured hand; Kobe scores 31

TORONTO (AP) -- Jalen Rose knew he'd play well after learning he
needed just 10 points to pass his biological father on the NBA's
career scoring list.

Rose scored 26 points, including eight straight late in the
fourth quarter Sunday, and the Toronto Raptors extended their
winning streak to three games with a 108-102 victory over the Los
Angeles Lakers.

"I woke up today and somebody sent me an e-mail and told me if
I score 10 points I'll pass my biological father," said Rose,
whose father, Jimmy Walker, had 11,655 career points.

"That's what I used as motivation in today's game."

Rose doesn't have a relationship with Walker, a former All-Star
who left Jalen and his mother.

Rose scored 10 of Toronto's last 12 points and the Raptors
closed out the game on a 12-3 run. The 11-year veteran injured his
right hand diving for a ball in the final seconds. He couldn't get
X-rays on his non-shooting hand after the game because the X-ray
machine at the Air Canada Centre wasn't working. He'll have X-rays
on Tuesday.

Rose missed 16 games last year after breaking his left hand.

"I don't think it's as bad as last year," Rose said. "It's
somewhat of a concern, that's why I need to get it X-rayed."

Kobe Bryant had 31 points for the Lakers, who lost their second
straight following a season-high three-game winning streak.

Donyell Marshall added 19 points and nine rebounds for the
Raptors, who are unbeaten since the All-Star break.

Marshall made five of Toronto's 13 3-pointers, and the Raptors
led by as many as 15. But the 3-pointers stopped falling and Chucky
Atkins helped Los Angeles close the gap by scoring 17 points in the
second half.

Bryant's jumper tied it with 6:37 left in the fourth, but Rose
scored 12 of Toronto's final 16 points, including eight straight to
give the Raptors a 104-102 lead with 1:02 left.

Bryant, with power forward Chris Bosh guarding him, missed a
3-point attempt with 55 seconds left. After Marshall grabbed an
offensive rebound, Bryant fouled Marshall, whose two free throws
gave Toronto a 106-102 lead with 26 seconds remaining.

After Bryant turned the ball over with a bad pass, Rose added
two free throws in the final seconds.

"When Jalen gets hot, he gets things going for them," Bryant
said.

Game notes
The Raptors lost their previous six games to the Lakers.
... Los Angeles had its three-game win streak snapped by Detroit on
Friday. ... The Raptors drew their fifth sellout of the season. ...
Bosh had 15 rebounds and 12 points. ... Six Toronto players reached
double figures in scoring. ... Rose has 11,671 career points.

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