Lakers 101, Bobcats 100: Kobe Bryant snapped a tie with 1:25 remaining in the fourth quarter and host Los Angeles held on to record its third straight win and hand Charlotte its 12th consecutive loss.

Bryant converted a driving layup to give the Lakers a 99-97 lead and hit a 19-foot shot with 52 seconds left to double the advantage.

Ramon Sessions' three-point play got the Bobcats within a point, but Dwight Howard blocked Kemba Walker's layup attempt with five seconds to play and Gerald Henderson missed a wide-open follow layup before Ben Gordon's desperation 3-point shot failed as time expired.

Bryant finished with 30 points, marking the seventh straight game in which he has reached the plateau. Metta World Peace and Jodie Meeks added 17 apiece off the bench while Howard contributed 16 and 18 rebounds for Los Angeles, which has won three in a row for the first time since Nov. 16-20.

Walker scored 28 points, Sessions chipped in 20 and Byron Mullens recorded 13 and 17 boards for the Bobcats, who have not won since posting a double-overtime victory at Washington on Nov. 24.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Walker has scored in double figures in 23 of his 24 games this season. ... Charlotte has lost its last four meetings with the Lakers in Los Angeles. Tuesday's setback evened the all-time series at 8-8. ... The Bobcats started the third quarter with a 20-7 run that opened an 18-point lead. But the Lakers scored the first 13 points in the fourth for a 90-84 advantage.