体坛英语新闻：Lakers hold off Grizzlies 86-84 to maintain No.8 seed

LOS ANGELES, April 5 (Xinhua) -- Kobe Bryant finished with 24 points, nine assists and five rebounds to help the Los Angeles Lakers edge Grizzlies 86-84 Friday night and stay in eighth in the western conference standings.

The Lakers avoided being swept in its season series with the Grizzlies and also ended Memphis' four-game winning streak.

Earl Clark and Antawn Jamison contributed 13 points and five rebounds apiece off the bench as the Lakers won without injured starters Steve Nash and Metta World Peace. Paul Gasol had 19 points and nine rebounds, while Dwight Howard added nine points and 10 rebounds.

The Grizzlies couldn't score in the final two and half minutes.

Mike Conley scored 21 points but missed a potential go-ahead jumper with 5 seconds left and another layup before the buzzer for playoff-bound Memphis. Zach Randolph had 15 points and Marc Gasol donated 11 points for the Grizzlies.