INQUIRER Sports

LOS ANGELES -- Kobe Bryant scored 36 points, grabbed 13 rebounds and passed out seven assists to give the Los Angeles Lakers a 104-91 victory Wednesday over Portland in Spanish star Pau Gasol's return to action.

Gasol had missed nine games in a row due to a sprained left ankle suffered March 14 in a loss to New Orleans. Gasol had 10 points, six rebounds and seven assists in 31 minutes and 43 seconds of playing time.

The Lakers improved to 51-24, 1 1/2 games behind Western Conference pace-setter New Orleans and one game behind defending National Basketball Association champion San Antonio.

Los Angeles improved to one game ahead of Phoenix atop the Pacific Division.

A 19-9 Lakers run to begin the second half helped boost Los Angeles ahead 73-63 entering the fourth quarter and a 9-0 Lakeers run built the edge to 86-68.

The Trail Blazers pulled within seven points before Bryant scored the next nine Lakers points for a 97-84 edge.