LOS ANGELES (AP) Gary Payton had 15 points and 15 assists, and Stanislav Medvedenko added 20 points and 10 rebounds. The win was the fourth in the last five games for the Lakers, who were without injured stars Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe Bryant and Karl Malone.

Devean George and Derek Fisher added 11 points each for the Lakers, who overcame a 35-point, 20-rebound performance by the Clippers' Elton Brand.

The Lakers took the lead for good late in the third quarter, but the Clippers stayed close and had a chance until Keyon Dooling's 3-point try bounced off the rim as time expired.

O'Neal and Bryant will miss at least another week, and Malone is expected to be out at least two more weeks.