Darren Collison (right) defends against Kobe Bryant on Tuesday in Los Angeles. Photo: IC

Kobe Bryant, closing in on ­Michael Jordan for third place on the NBA's all-time scoring list, scored 32 points on Tuesday to lead the Los Angeles Lakers to a 98-95 victory over Sacramento.

Bryant scored 21 points in the second half, including a breakaway dunk and a three-pointer that tied the score at 92-92 with less than four minutes to play.

Jordan Hill's layup put Los Angeles up 94-93 with 1:39 ­remaining. The Kings regained the lead with a basket from ­Darren Collison, but Bryant sunk two free throws to give the Lakers a 96-95 lead.

Bryant wrapped up the scoring with two more free throws and Sacramento's Nik Stauskas then bounced a three-point attempt off the rim, putting an end to the Kings' hopes.

Despite the fact that the Lakers are enduring a tough season, Bryant came into the game averaging an league-leading 25.2 points per game, although he's shooting a career-worst 38.9 percent from the field.

Bryant now needs 31 points to pass Jordan, with 32,292 ­career points, for third place on the NBA's all-time scoring list.

Only Kareem Abdul-­Jabbar (38,387) and Karl Malone (36,928) scored more points in their careers.

The Lakers visit reigning champions San Antonio on Friday and Minnesota on Sunday.

Also on Tuesday, Le­Bron James matched a Cleveland record in style as his late three-pointer helped the Cavaliers achieve a 105-101 victory over Eastern Conference leaders ­Toronto.

James, a four-time NBA Most Valuable Player who rejoined Cleveland this season after a four-year sojourn in ­Miami, joined Mark Price atop the Cavs' list of all-time three-pointers made.

He drained the long-range go-ahead basket with 48.1 ­seconds remaining as Cleveland extended their winning streak to eight games.

The contest was tied 99-99 before Kevin Love pump-faked from the left wing beyond the arc, dribbled to the left and passed to James, who made the shot from beyond the arc for his 802nd three-pointer as a Cavalier.

A free throw gave Cleveland a 103-99 edge before Terrence Ross cut the deficit to 103-101 with a dunk with 4.2 seconds remaining.

Cleveland's Kyrie Irving made a brace of free throws to seal the win.

Toronto shot 58.1 percent during the first three quarters and led by as many as 10 in the fourth. But the Cavaliers forced the Raptors down to a 30 percent shooting rate in the final ­period.

James finished with 35 points, Love added 17 with nine rebounds and Irving contributed 13 points and 10 assists.

The Cavaliers' eight-game winning streak is their longest since they won eight on the trot in March 2010. Their last defeat was a 110-93 setback against the Raptors on November 22.


Newspaper headline: LeBron matches record for 3-pointers