LOS ANGELES, Feb. 22 (Xinhua) -- "Do it for Dr. Buss", and Kobe did it.
With 15 of 23 from the floor and 9 of 9 behind the free throw line, Kobe Bryant donated 40 points for Los Angeles Lakers, helping the team to win a 111-107 victory against the Trail Blazers Friday night.
The Lakers owner Jerry Buss died of cancer at age 80 on Monday. He purchased the Lakers, ice hockey's Los Angeles Kings, their arena and a ranch from Jack Kent Cooke for 67.5 million U.S. dollars in 1979.
Friday's game was Kobe's fifth 40-point game this season, and the 117th of his career. Dwight Howard also had a standout game, finishing with 19 points and 16 rebounds.
The Trail Blazers' J.J. Hickson had a strong game as well, shooting 11-for-15 and finishing with 22 points and 11 rebounds. Rookie Damian Lillard played with a great attitude, contributing 19 points and seven assists for the Trail Blazers.
The Los Angeles Lakers now ranked ninth in Western Conference with 27-29. They are trying their best to catch up the Houston Rockets who took the eighth place with 31-26.