LAKERS FEEL THE HEAT IN WIN KOBE TAKES BUMPS VS. G.S. IN CHIPPY CONTEST LAKERS 110, GOLDEN ST. 104.

Byline: Ross Siler Staff Writer

OAKLAND - The Lakers and Golden State Warriors have a long way to go in becoming the NBA's version of the Dodgers and Giants. As Phil Jackson put it, though, there is a ``contentious'' quality to their games more times than not.

Sure enough, as soon as Kobe Bryant was hammered on a breakaway by Warriors forward Mike Dunleavy in the third quarter Saturday night, tempers flared at The Arena in Oakland.

Already playing with a sprained right wrist, Bryant was not in the mood for any more bumps and bruises. He answered back by scoring 18 of his game-high 38 points after the incident as the Lakers took a 110-104 victory.

``When he hit me, he knew what was going to happen,'' said Bryant, who thought a flagrant foul was warranted. ``I was going to sharpen my focus.''

It was the fifth victory in six games for the Lakers since Bryant returned from suspension. The Lakers also got big nights out of Smush Parker (24 points, 12 rebounds, six assists) and Kwame Brown (18 points, 12 rebounds).

Bryant has taken more than his share of punishment. The scar over his left eye, a reminder of Memphis guard Mike Miller and the most infamous hard foul of the season, still hasn't completely healed.

Instead of delivering an elbow to Dunleavy's chin - as he did to Miller - Bryant found a different form of payback. He drained three long jumpers and powered the Lakers to victory with 10 points in the last 4:26.

``We know that he's always going to be there and he's always going to play,'' Parker said. ``He's always going to be an offensive threat, even if he's on crutches.''

Parker, meanwhile, delivered not just in the first quarter, as has been his custom, but throughout the game.

He matched his career high with the 24 points, drove for two layups in the fourth quarter and stopped a Warriors fastbreak by taking a charge from Jason Richardson with 5:50 remaining.

``Things were flowing for him in a way that we haven't seen too often this season,'' Jackson said. ``He's had some really good games, but not as many that have been controlling.''

Brown made his first six shots and recorded his third double-double with the Lakers. Brown now is averaging 8.8 points and 8.1 rebounds since he returned to the starting lineup.

``The Lord was with him,'' Jackson said of Brown, who even found a way to convert 4 of 5 free throws.

``It felt good to get involved early,'' said Brown, who had three dunks in the first quarter, ``because you know what Kobe's going to do late.''

But it wasn't a perfect night, as Lamar Odom couldn't build on his 20-point, 10-rebound, nine-assist game against Cleveland.

Odom went scoreless in the first half, wound up in foul trouble, and finished with just two points on 1-of-8 shooting.

``We could tell almost right away that he was not in sync,'' Jackson said. ``It just wasn't one of his days. Things weren't working well for him.''

The Warriors now have lost six in a row, giving up 110 points in the past three games. The Lakers improved to 20-17 heading into Monday's game against Shaquille O'Neal and the Miami Heat at Staples Center.

Bryant made 6 of 12 shots after the incident with Dunleavy, when he came up angrily pointing his finger and had to be restrained by Brown, and capped his night by gliding downcourt with arms extended after a basket with 1:17 left.

``You can sense the momentum in the game and that was kind of a backbreaker,'' Bryant said, ``so the plane comes out.''

Ross Siler, [phone]

ross.siler(at)dailynews.com

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Golden State's Mike Dunleavy, right, looks for the ball in front of the Lakers' Luke Walton during Saturday's game. Dunleavy, indirectly, helped spark the Lakers victory.

Dino Vournas/Associated Press