Lakers bench provides big lift

Kobe Bryant might be right when he said, ``we have, in my estimation, the best bench in the league.''

That was the case again against the Portland Trail Blazers.

Jordan Farmar, Ronny Turiaf and Sasha Vujacic gave the Lakers a lift when they needed it the most.

Farmar tied his career high with 21 points, 10 in the second quarter when the Lakers struggled.

Vujacic had 12 points and five rebounds.

Turiaf had eight points and two blocked shots.

``Guys come in and do extremely good jobs playing, moving the basketball, knocking down shots, just playing extremely well,'' Bryant said.