Lakers 92, Nets 83: Kobe Bryant collected 21 points and eight rebounds and made the key plays late as visiting Los Angeles held off Brooklyn.

Earl Clark added 14 points and 12 boards and Steve Nash scored 17 for the Lakers, who won their third straight despite being without Dwight Howard (shoulder) and Metta World Peace (suspension).

Brook Lopez recorded 30 points and 11 rebounds and Deron Williams scored 15 as the Nets dropped their 10th straight in the series.

Los Angeles grabbed an 82-80 lead with 2:45 left when Bryant got the ball at the top of the key and drove the lane for a one-handed dunk over Gerald Wallace and Kris Humphries. But Brooklyn came right back down and got it to Lopez, who lofted a floater from the left wing while being fouled and completed the three-point play to put Brooklyn back on top.

The Lakers re-took the lead on Antawn Jamison’s runner and Bryant struck again to spread it out, driving for a layup in traffic. Clark added an 18-foot jumper and Los Angeles closed it out at the line.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Lakers C Pau Gasol left the floor with under four minutes left after suffering a plantar fasciitis strain in his right foot. Gasol, who left the arena on crutches, will undergo an MRI exam Wednesday in Boston. … Los Angeles improved to 8-16 on the road and has three stops left on its current seven-game trip. … Brooklyn got the better of the Lakers on the glass 52-40 but still managed to be outscored in the paint, 46-38.