Bryant scores 31 as Lakers beat Bucks 118-107

The Lakers came in as the highest-scoring team in the NBA, averaging 112.5 points, and the Bucks were allowing an NBA-low 89.4. Steve Blake's 3-pointer busted the 90-point mark in the closing seconds of the third quarter and gave the Lakers their biggest lead, 90-81, heading into the fourth.

"They're the No. 1 offensive team in the league. We're the No. 1 defensively," Bogut said. "They won that battle, but I think we just have to do a better job defensively. We gave them a lot of easy baskets."

Notes: Lakers F Ron Artest only played 17½ minutes and asked to come out of the game, but insisted nothing was wrong afterward. Coach Phil Jackson said Artest would play on Wednesday night against Detroit. ... Bogut went 2 of 10 from the free throw line. ... Lakers C Theo Ratliff had arthroscopic surgery Tuesday to remove torn cartilage in his left knee. Ratliff is expected to miss 4 to 6 weeks. Los Angeles is also without C Andrew Bynum, who hasn't returned from offseason knee surgery. The Lakers hope he'll return to practice next week. Jackson said that they may need to get another big man to bolster their front court.