Kobe passes Kareem on Lakers' points list in win

Published Nov. 20, 2009 10:22 a.m. ET

foxsports

Until Thursday night, Pau Gasol had made more appearances this fall on "CSI: Miami" than in the Los Angeles Lakers' starting lineup.

The Spanish 7-footer finally got back to his day job in a dynamic season debut that suggested just how good the defending NBA champions can be when they're whole.

Gasol had 24 points and 13 rebounds, and Kobe Bryant scored 21 points while passing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar on the Lakers' career scoring chart in Los Angeles' 108-93 victory over the Chicago Bulls.

Ron Artest added 15 points for the Lakers, who finally had their full starting lineup intact for their ninth victory in 12 games to start the season. Although key reserve Luke Walton is out following back surgery, Los Angeles finally can begin building team chemistry around Bryant and Gasol, the pillars of their title run last summer.

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