Memphis center Marc Gasol, left, and teammate Tony Allen, right, try to stop Lakers center Andrew Bynum from putting up a shot during the first half of Tuesday's game. (Alan Spearman / Associated Press / March 13, 2012)
By Mike BresnahanMarch 13, 2012, 8:34 p.m.
Reporting from Memphis -- It took the Lakers a long, long time, but they finally improved their road record, outlasting Memphis in two overtimes, 116-111, Tuesday at FedEx Forum. Andrew Bynum had 37 points on 15-for-18 shooting and also took 16 rebounds as the Lakers improved to 8-14 on the road. Kobe Bryant had 34 points in 52 minutes, including a four-footer with 1:47 left in the second overtime that put the Lakers ahead for good, 110-109. The Lakers trailed by 17 in the third quarter and made enough of a run the rest of the way to force overtime. The Grizzlies had a chance to win in regulation but Mike Conley missed a three-point attempt with 0.9 seconds left in the fourth quarter. The Lakers had a chance to win in the first overtime but Bryant's 16-footer barely grazed the front of the rim. Rudy Gay did not play for Memphis because he sustained a mild concussion Sunday against Denver. He is averaging 18.8 points. Marreese Speights had 25 points for the Grizzlies (24-17), who were half a game behind the Lakers in the Western Conference before Tuesday. The Lakers (26-16) finish a quick two-game trip Wednesday in New Orleans. RELATED: Lakers Chat: Lakers vs. Memphis Grizzlies Lakers-Grizzlies matchup: Five things to watch Darius Morris has bruised left wrist, listed as day-to-day