USA/CAN - Kobe's 61 points lead Lakers past Knicks at Madison Square Garden

NEW YORK (NBA) - The Los Angeles Lakers lost center Andrew Bynum for at least eight weeks to a serious knee injury over the weekend but Team USA star Kobe Bryant is already picking up the slack.

Bryant erupted for 61 points to lead the Lakers to a 126-117 triumph at Madison Square Garden over the New York Knicks.

Scoring explosions are nothing new for Bryant, who now has now reached the 50-point plateau 24 times.

He poured in a career-high 81 points in a victory over Toronto in January of 2006.

When Bryant left the contest near the end, he received a standing ovation from the crowd to bring back memories of his gold-medal game performance at last year's Olympics.

Spain's Pau Gasol, who played against Bryant in the title game in Beijing, also enjoyed a big night for LA with 31 points and 14 rebounds.

The Knicks' Italian rookie Danilo Gallinari has had an ailing back this season but he didn't miss the big occasion, playing 20 minutes and scoring 10 points.

Western Conference leaders LA improved to 38-9 while New York, who are currently out of the play-off picture in the East, dropped to 21-26.

Orlando have been one of the best teams in the league but they suffered two losses on Monday.

The Magic suffered a 105-95 defeat to Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks, and they also lost All-Star point guard Jameer Nelson to a separated shoulder.

New Orleans' Team USA point guard Chris Paul left the Hornets' game against Portland early on Monday after straining his right groin the Portland Trail Blazers took advantage.

The Blazers trailed by as many as 20 points but came back to win 97-89.

Spain's Rudy Fernandez made three of six shots from long range and finished with 15 points while LaMarcus Aldridge poured in 22 while also grabbing 11 rebounds.

The San Antonio Spurs needed overtime but beat Golden State 110-105 with both Tim Duncan and Argentina international Manu Ginobili pouring in 32 points.

France playmaker Tony Parker added 23 for the Spurs.

Pau Gasol's younger brother, Marc, had 22 points and 11 rebounds as Memphis beat Washington for their 12th triumph of the campaign.

OJ Mayo led the Grizz with 33 and Rudy Gay contributed 23.

In other games, Miami won at home over the LA Clippers 119-95, Phoenix defeated visiting Sacramento 129-81 and Charlotte fell at Utah 105-86.

FIBA