Kobe Bryant and the Lakers defeated the Clippers 113-95 to win their seventh straight game.

After the game, RealGM's Graham Flashner asked Bryant if he could have ever envisioned the Lakers being where they were at this point in time, and he shook his head.

?I think they had me buying [Michael Jordan?s] house in Chicago,? Bryant said, only half-jokingly.

Turning serious, Bryant said, ?It worked out for the best. I didn?t want to leave here. Circumstances being what they were, it was very difficult to see myself still being here, but I?m very thankful that it did work out. Everything happens for a reason.?