<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Most eyes were front and on the center. Kobe Bryant, as he is prone to do, stole the show. With Pau Gasol returning to the Lakers' lineup in a test and trial of his sprained left ankle, Bryant used an economical effort to boost the Lakers to a 104-91 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday night at Staples Center. Bryant made 10 of his 16 shots, good for a game-high 36 points. Fourteen of those points came in the fourth quarter. He also had 13 rebounds and seven assists. His effort was needed. Gasol's return was needed. The win was needed. Time is dwindling with a mere seven games left in the season. The Lakers (51-24) remain 1 1/2 games behind the New Orleans Hornets (52-22) for tops in the Western Conference standings. They have one game left, Friday against Dallas, on a five-game homestand that has not exactly gone as planned (see: losses to Charlotte and Memphis). "We're in something very special right now," Gasol said. "It's been hard just being a watcher and not being active out there and helpful. Hopefully, I'll be able to change that in the next few games." The first step was playing. He had sat out nine games since being injured March 14. The Lakers lost four of them and exhibited a free-pass interior defense in his absence.</div> Los Angeles Times
