Kobe Bryant scored 27 points and Pau Gasol added 20 points and 10 rebounds as the Los Angeles Lakers used a strong defensive effort to top the visiting Charlotte Bobcats, 92-84, on Friday.

Andrew Bynum collected nine points, 17 rebounds and six blocks, while Lamar Odom chipped in 12 points and 11 boards for the Lakers (44-19), who have won six straight.

Los Angeles blocked 12 shots and held the Bobcats (26-35) to woeful 37-of-93 shooting, including 1 of 10 from beyond the arc.

The Lakers made their move in the first quarter, ripping off a 21-4 burst behind eight points from Bryant and six from Gasol to take a 27-14 lead. Charlotte would draw within four points in the second quarter, but the Lakers never yielded the lead.

An 11-2 run early in the third quarter was capped by Bryant’s 3-pointer and gave Los Angeles a 56-39 cushion that allowed it to cruise the rest of the way.

D.J. Augustin was the only starter to reach double figures with 22 points for the Bobcats, who have dropped three straight.