The short-handed Los Angeles Lakers didn't have quite enough to beat the Clippers on Sunday night despite 44 points and 10 rebounds by Kobe Bryant — both season-highs.

Elton Brand had 30 points, 15 rebounds, six assists and five blocked shots to lead the Clippers to a 101-98 victory — just their third win in the last 26 games between the crosstown rivals.

The Lakers played without Shaquille O'Neal, who strained his right calf Friday night in a 111-109 loss at Seattle and is listed as day-to-day.

In addition, Karl Malone was placed on the injured list for the first time in his 19-year career. Malone hasn't played since spraining a ligament in his right knee Dec. 21 in the Lakers' 107-101 victory over Phoenix.

The Clippers weren't at full strength, either. Both starter Marko Jaric (sprained left foot) and reserve Bobby Simmons (sprained right wrist) missed the game with injuries sustained Saturday in a 116-109 loss to Sacramento.

Bryant's steal and dunk with 1:21 remaining moved the Lakers within three points, and Derek Fisher made a basket with 51.3 seconds left on a goaltending call against Chris Kaman.

Fisher was fouled on the play and could have tied the game, but missed his free throw.

Fisher had a chance to give the Lakers the lead, but Brand blocked his layup with 11 seconds left.

Corey Maggette made a free throw to give the Clippers a two-point lead with 10.2 seconds to play before Keyon Dooling blocked a layup by Gary Payton.

Brand's free throw with 1.7 seconds remaining completed the scoring. Payton's 3-pointer at the buzzer hit the back of the rim and bounced away.

The win was the only fourth in nine games for the Clippers (14-16) while the Lakers (21-9) lost for the sixth time in nine games.

Quentin Richardson added 20 points; Maggette had 16 points and 10 rebounds, and Doug Overton had a season-high 14 points, seven rebounds and six assists for the Clippers.

Slava Medvedenko equaled his career high with 18 points and also had eight rebounds for the Lakers. Devean George didn't score, missing all eight shots he attempted while playing only 14 minutes.

Fisher's jumper with 7:45 left capped a 10-2 run by the Lakers to start the fourth quarter and tie the game at 86.

The Lakers made the move without Bryant, who was getting a rest.

Another jumper by Fisher with 5:14 remaining put the Lakers ahead 90-89 — their first lead of the second half.

But two free throws by Brand and a basket by Overton gave the Clippers a 93-90 lead with 4:25 to play.

Bryant made two free throws 21 seconds later for his first points of the fourth quarter to draw the Lakers within one point, but that's as close as they would get.

Bryant surpassed his previous season-high of 37 points by making a 3-pointer with 2:39 left in the third period, giving him 14 in the quarter and 38 in the game and cutting the Clippers' lead to 78-74.

The Clippers led 84-76 entering the fourth quarter.

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