Kobe Bryant rallied the Los Angeles Lakers with 22 points as the two-time defending champions won for the 12th time in 13 games, 84-80 over the visiting Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday night.

The Lakers (50-20) were without center Andrew Bynum, who received a two-game suspension Sunday morning for his flagrant foul against Minnesota's Michael Beasley on Friday night. Bynum will also sit out Tuesday’s meeting with Phoenix.

Nicolas Batum scored a career-high 25, and LaMarcus Aldridge added 18 for Portland (40-30).

Derek Fisher gave the Lakers a 78-76 lead with 1:56 left. Bryant drove the left baseline for a basket with 1:11 left.

With 45 seconds remaining, Ron Artest was whistled for a technical foul. Rudy Fernandez made one free throw, but Bryant again came up with a key jumper from 14 feet for an 82-77 lead with 32.9 seconds left. Batum nailed a 27-foot 3-pointer to make it 82-80, but Fisher scored from the top of the key with 10 seconds left.

Lamar Odom, starting for Bynum as he often has this season, had 16 points, 11 rebounds and six assists. Pau Gasol added 14 points and 13 rebounds.