A win is a win - Lakers beat Washington 106-104

It wasn't pretty but the Lakers beat Washington 106-104 this evening. It took Kobe Bryant to rescue the Lakers with a difficult shot in the closing minutes to pull the game out and give the Lakers a 16-2 record.

Butler, who had 26 points in the game had a chance to tie the game or win it for Washington but he missed a three pointer as the buzzer sounded.

Tapscott was happy to have All-Star forward and co-captain Butler take the final shot. Tapscott, though, wished Butler had taken it a bit sooner, leaving a little more time on the clock for a putback.

"Nah, you know, I thought I took it just in time, because -- clean look, and if it went in, game was over. You didn't want it to be one of those situations in which the shot goes in, you've got a second left, and the best closer in basketball is at the other end, you know, asking for the ball," Butler said. "So it was like one of those situations -- you want the time to run out and hit the shot and run to the locker room with your hands up."

It was a little scary for Lakers fans who don't want to see the Lakers lose against teams like Washington. At the end of the thisrd quarter the Lakers were up 87-72 and in full control of the game. What looked like another easy win was not so easy as Washington came thundering back. Even though it was a win, it kind of felt like a loss for the Lakers who are getting the reputation in the league of not having that killer instinct. That can not be good as teams will still be full of confidence when down to the Lakers in fourth quarters.

Bryant had 23 point for the Lakers. Bynumm had 19 and Gasol had 17.

Butler led Washington with 26. Jamison had 15.