Lakers 90, Bulls 81: Kobe Bryant collected 19 points, nine assists and seven rebounds and Dwight Howard added 16 points and 21 boards as host Los Angeles moved a season-best two games over .500 and took over sole possession of eighth place in the Western Conference standings.

Steve Nash chipped in 16 points for the Lakers, who have won six straight home games. Los Angeles snapped a three-game losing streak against Chicago and has won eight of the last 11 meetings.

Nate Robinson scored 19 points and Joakim Noah added 18 points and 17 rebounds for the Bulls, who have lost five of their last eight. Carlos Boozer contributed 12 points and 10 rebounds for Chicago.

It was tight throughout the first half, as Los Angeles took a 44-40 lead into halftime. The Lakers finally gained some separation with a 12-0 run in the third quarter. Jodie Meeks' 3-pointer capped the spurt and made it 65-47 with 4:05 left in the period.

Boozer's layup with 8:02 left in the game pulled the Bulls within 77-69, but they didn't get any closer. Howard and Metta World Peace each scored four points during a 9-2 spurt to help the Lakers put it away.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Chicago was without guards Kirk Hinrich (foot) and Richard Hamilton (back) and forward Taj Gibson (knee). … The Lakers were 5-for-26 from 3-point range and 7-for-14 from the foul line. … Bulls G Marco Belinelli was held to 11 points on 5-of-15 shooting, ending a career-best streak of three straight games scoring 20 or more.