DPA/Los Angeles

Kobe Bryant appears to be getting back to normal, and perhaps so do the Los Angeles Lakers.

Bryant scored 21 points in 32 minutes - both season highs - and made a big defensive play in the final seconds Saturday night as the visiting Lakers won for the first time since the return of their superstar with an 88-85 victory over the Charlotte Bobcats.

Slumping Spanish star Pau Gasol added 15 points, seven rebounds and four blocks for the Lakers (11-12), who had lost their first three games since Bryant returned from a torn Achilles tendon six days ago.

“I knew it (first win) was coming eventually; it’s not a big deal,” Bryant said. “We know it’s a marathon, not a sprint.”

Kemba Walker had 24 points and eight assists for the Bobcats (10-14), who went scoreless in the final 2 ½ minutes. Charlotte, which relies heavily on big man Al Jefferson, missed its last eight shots.

“If you have a perimeter player who can draw help and a second defender, it’s a huge advantage,” Bobcats coach Steve Clifford said.  “The easier thing is to have Kobe. You can just give him the ball and he just makes plays.”

In addition to working his way back into form, Bryant has been forced to play point guard due to injuries to Steve Nash, Steve Blake and Jordan Farmar. He made 8-of-15 shots, adding eight assists and seven rebounds while committing seven turnovers.

“I don’t know what I can and can’t do,” he said. “I’m just trying to measure it. I didn’t know if I could drive to the basket. Every game has been like that.”

“I think he improved a little bit,” said Lakers coach Mike D’Antoni.  “I think he got his legs under his shot a little bit. ... He got tired toward the end and it was his first back-to-back.”

The Lakers trailed, 85-84, when Bryant pump-faked to draw a foul from Gerald Henderson. His two free throws gave Los Angeles the lead with 37 seconds left.

Henderson and Jefferson missed jumpers for Charlotte, and Gasol - who has been at odds with D’Antoni over his reduced role in the offence - made two foul shots with 6.2 seconds to play.

Bryant harassed Ben Gordon on a potential tying three-pointer that fell well short, giving the Lakers the win.

“You always miss those moments, particularly on the road,” Bryant said. “It’s always fun to close a team out down the stretch.” Walker’s jumper gave Charlotte an 85-79 lead with 2:49 to play, but the Bobcats didn’t score again. Nick Young halved the deficit with a three-pointer and Bryant drove for a layup with 1:22 remaining. Jordan Hill totalled 15 points and nine boards and Young scored 13 points for the Lakers, who shot just 39 per cent (30-of-77) but made 21-of-23 free throws.

Jefferson had 14 points and nine rebounds and Henderson scored 13 points for the Bobcats, who shot 44 percent (39-of-89) but shot just eight free throws, making five.

nMiami Heat 114, Cleveland Cavaliers 107: LeBron James had 25 points, nine rebounds and nine assists, Dwyane Wade scored 24 points and Chris Bosh had 22 and 12 boards as the Heat improved to 10-2 at home and stopped the Cavaliers’ three-game winning streak.

nPortland Trail Blazers 139, Philadelphia 76ers 105: France’s Nicolas Batum had 17 points and nine assists for the visiting Trail Blazers, who made 21 three-pointers in their third straight win. The 76ers have lost six in a row.

nSan Antonio Spurs 100, Utah Jazz 84: Tim Duncan had 22 points and 12 rebounds as the visiting Spurs won their fourth straight game.  Rookie Trey Burke scored 20 points for the Jazz.

nDallas Mavericks 106, Milwaukee Bucks 93: German superstar Dirk Nowitzki sat out with an illness but Brandan Wright made his season debut with 19 points for the host Mavericks, who handed the league-worst Bucks their third consecutive loss. Neither Nowitzki nor Dallas coach Rick Carlisle were with the Mavericks as they played their first home game following a four-game road trip.

nLA Clippers 113, Washington Wizards 97: Chris Paul erupted for a season-high 38 points and 12 assists as the Clippers completed a 4-3 road trip. John Wall had 24 points and 12 assists for the Wizards, losers of four straight.

nNew York Knicks 111, Atlanta Hawks 106: Carmelo Anthony scored 35 points and Italy’s Andrea Bargnani added 23 as the host Knicks climbed out of last place in the Atlantic Division. Atlanta’s Kyle Korver extended his record streak to 93 games with a three-pointer.

nToronto Raptors 99, Chicago Bulls 77: Lithuania’s Jonas Valanciunas collected 15 points and 11 rebounds for the visiting Raptors.  Sudanese star Luol Deng returned from an injury to score 17 points for the Bulls, who have dropped four of five.