Kobe Bryant asked to be traded last spring in part because he wanted to play for a team that could contend for an NBA title.

He just might have gotten his wish by staying put.

Bryant scored 26 of his 38 points in the second half; Andrew Bynum had a career-high 28 points to go with 12 rebounds and a season-high four assists; and the Lakers beat the Phoenix Suns 122-115 on Tuesday for their ninth win in 11 games.