Kobe Bryant shrugged off a dislocated finger to help the Los Angeles Lakers to a thrilling 105-88 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers in a titanic battle between the top two teams in the West and the East on Monday.
Bryant, last season's league MVP, registered 20 points, six rebounds and 12 assists as the Western Conference champions held off a late flurry by Cleveland to stretch their win-loss record to 32-8.
Spanish forward Pau Gasol contributed 22 points and 12 rebounds while Andrew Bynum weighed in with 14 points to keep the Lakers on track for their first NBA title since 2001-02.