LOS ANGELES — Playing a bunch of teams with losing records isn't exactly bringing out the best in the Los Angeles Lakers.

But for the most part, they're winning.

Kobe Bryant had 26 points and five assists, Pau Gasol added 18 points, 11 rebounds, six assists and three blocked shots, and the Lakers pulled away in the fourth quarter to beat the struggling Minnesota Timberwolves, 98-86, last night.

"We held a team under 100 points. We limited our turnovers to 10, which is good," Lakers coach Phil Jackson said, looking at the bright side.

Andrew Bynum added 14 points and nine rebounds, and Trevor Ariza scored 14 points for the Lakers, who have played seven of their last eight games against teams with losing records and lost to two of them — Indiana and Sacramento. And they haven't been all that impressive in several recent victories.

This was one of them.

The Lakers have won 13 of their last 15 games, and their 20-3 record is the second-best in the NBA behind Boston's 22-2 mark.

The Lakers forced 17 turnovers while committing 10, and shot 44.7 percent to Minnesota's 36.1 percent.

The Timberwolves trailed 76-70 before a basket by Ariza and four straight points by Bryant gave the Lakers a 12-point lead with 4 1/2 minutes remaining. Minnesota didn't threaten after that.

"We can't hold a lead. These guys (Bryant and Gasol) have to come back into the game (in the fourth quarter). That's awful," said Lamar Odom, who had six points and 10 rebounds.

Al Jefferson had 20 points and 13 rebounds to lead Minnesota.

GRIZZLIES 102, HEAT 86

O.J. Mayo scored 28 points, and Rudy Gay 18 to help host Memphis win its fourth straight game, the Grizzlies' longest winning streak since the final five games of the 2005-06 season. Michael Beasley led Miami with 20 points.

HORNETS 99, RAPTORS 91

David West scored 29 points, James Posey made six 3-pointers and had 20 points, and visiting New Orleans beat Toronto. Rasual Butler added 16 points, and Chris Paul had 12 points and 12 assists for the Hornets. Chris Bosh had 25 points for Toronto.

SPURS 109, THUNDER 104

Tony Parker scored 22 points, and Tim Duncan had 20 points and 12 rebounds in host San Antonio's sixth straight victory. Matt Bonner added 17 points, and Roger Mason had 14 for the Spurs. Jeff Green led the Thunder with 33 points, and Kevin Durant had 28.