Bryant hit a 15-footer as time expired and scored the game’s final 7 points over the last 1:18 of overtime to lift the Los Angeles Lakers to a 107-106 victory over the Bucks in Milwaukee last night.

Bryant, who had 27 of his 39 points in the second half and overtime, missed a shot from nearly the same spot from the left elbow that would’ve won it at the buzzer to end regulation.

“I changed my grip since the finger, so that first shot I took had my original grip and the ball kind of came off the wrong way,’’ said Bryant, who broke the finger against Minnesota Friday. “I was upset because if I was going to miss it, I’d rather miss it with things I’ve practiced in the last few days. I was happy to get another look.’’

On his second try, he backed down Charlie Bell again and drained the jumper to start the celebration by raising his arms triumphantly and returning to the Lakers bench where he was mobbed.

“I had a really good look on that first one and wanted to go right back to the same spot and get the same look,’’ Bryant said.

Pau Gasol had 26 points and a career-high 22 rebounds for the Lakers (20-4), who tied Boston for the best record in the NBA with their 13th win in the last 14 games.

Reserve Michael Redd had 25 points and Ersan Ilyasova added a career-high 24, but the Bucks lost their fourth straight in the series with the Lakers and are 3-14 in the last 17 meetings.

Cavaliers 108, 76ers 101 - LeBron James hit two clutch 3-pointers in the fourth quarter and scored 36 points to lead visiting Cleveland over Philadelphia.

James had another James-type night against one of the worst teams in the NBA. He went 12 for 26 from the floor, got hot in the fourth, and silenced another road crowd that packed the place just to watch him play.

Mo Williams hit back-to-back shots in the fourth that gave the Cavaliers a lead they would never relinquish and scored 12 points.

Andre Iguodala led the Sixers with 26 points, and Thaddeus Young and Allen Iverson each had 16. The Sixers have lost 13 of 14 games.

Spurs 103, Warriors 91 - Tim Duncan had 27 points and 15 rebounds, Richard Jefferson scored 17 points, and San Antonio picked up a rare win on the road this season by beating Golden State in Oakland, Calif.

Monta Ellis scored 35 points and Corey Maggette added 21 for injury-riddled Golden State, which played without its top three centers in coach Don Nelson’s return to the bench.

Hawks 110, Grizzlies 97 - Joe Johnson scored 26 points and host Atlanta pulled away in the second half for its fifth straight win.

Despite playing only 29 minutes, Johnson made 10 of 16 shots from the field, including a couple of 3-pointers, and chipped in with eight rebounds and three assists.

Nuggets 111, Rockets 101 - Carmelo Anthony scored 38 points, his fifth straight 30-plus point performance, and host Denver overcame the loss of star guard Chauncey Billups to a groin injury to beat Houston.

Billups, who had 15 points and is averaging 17.5, left the game with nine minutes left in the third quarter.

Magic 118, Raptors 99 - Dwight Howard had 18 points, 14 rebounds, and 8 blocks, and host Orlando spoiled Hedo Turkoglu’s return with a victory over Toronto.

Pacers 101, Bobcats 98 - Troy Murphy had 26 points and 15 rebounds, leading host Indiana over Charlotte.

Clippers 120, Timberwolves 95 - Chris Kaman had 23 points and 10 rebounds and Marcus Camby had 10 points, 18 rebounds and five blocks to lead Los Angeles to victory in Minneapolis.

Mavericks 100, Thunder 86) - Dirk Nowitzki had 35 points and 11 rebounds, and Dallas used a late surge to beat host Oklahoma City.

Hornets 95, Pistons 87 - David West had a season-high 32 points and 12 rebounds, helping host New Orleans overcome a 16-point deficit and beat Detroit.

Jazz 108, Nets 92 - Deron Williams and Carlos Boozer recorded double-doubles, and visiting Utah added to New Jersey’s woes.