Kobe Bryant earned 34 points

Pieces of the puzzle that was the Lakers' season was confusing start to fall into place.

Kobe Bryant is in the second half developed a RETURN, the defense stepped up and the host Los Angeles beat the New York Knicks, 100-94, on Tuesday, extends winning streak to five games.

0.500'' We are,'' he said, smiling, Dwight Howard. '' We, too, made for Christmas. I did not know that this day would come.''

Bryant earned 34 points in his NBA-record 15 Christmas toy, added 20 points and seven rebounds and World Peace Mettius defending Carmelo Anthony, who led by 34 points in Knicks. Said Anthony hyperextended his left knee, but expects to play in Phoenix on Wednesday.

Bryant, the league's leading score, has been led by 30 or more points in nine straight games.

If you're going to play better,'' Christmas it always have. That makes it worthwhile,'' said Bryant, who is about to hop on a flight to Denver, getting there ahead of the Nuggets, who played the second half at Staples Center doubleheader clippers on vacation.

Lakers improved 14-14 - 9-9 with new coach Mike D'Antoni, and improve recorded their holiday in 21-18 days, including 13-9 at home. Back to .500 for the first time since they were 8-8 on 30 November.

'' It's so early in the season to have turned a corner,'' Bryant said. '' We are all in the lineup and we begin to see how we want to play.''

The Knicks controlled most of the game behind Anthony and JR Smith, who had 24 points. But struggled offensively in the fourth when Anthony was limited to seven points and had five Smith defense of Lakers »fastened down. World Peace fouled out with 1:58 to play and the Lakers before the 4.