Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant looks on against the New York Knicks during second half of an NBA game in Los Angeles
Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant looks on against the New York Knicks during second half of an NBA game in Los Angeles December 29, 2011. Reuters

Kobe Bryant turned back the clock with a 48-point effort to lead the Los Angeles Lakers to a 99-83 win over the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday.

Mixing an array of jump shots and athletic dunks, Bryant put together the highest scoring game in the NBA this season to give the Lakers their third consecutive win.

I'm just in spots where I'm extremely comfortable and I'm knocking down my jump shot, Bryant told reporters after recording his first 40-point game since March. Not bad for an old fella.

The 33-year-old knocked in 18 of his 31 shots from the field and scored nearly half of his team's points.

He started quickly with 17 first-quarter points then brought the crowd to their feet with 16 in the final period, where he added a highlight reverse alley-oop dunk.

The win gave the Lakers (7-4) a one-game lead over the Los Angeles Clippers at the top of the Pacific Division.

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