Bryant scores 34 points to help Lakers beat Knicks 100-94 and get to .500

Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, left, is fouled by New York Knicks guard J.R. Smith, right, as forward Carmelo Anthony, center, watches during the first half of their NBA basketball game in Los Angeles, Tuesday, Dec. 25, 2012. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo) (The Associated Press)

Los Angeles Lakers guard Steve Nash (10) drives between New York Knicks guards Jason Kidd (5) and Raymond Felton (2) during the first half of their NBA basketball game in Los Angeles, Tuesday, Dec. 25, 2012. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo) (The Associated Press)

LOS ANGELES – Kobe Bryant engineered a second-half comeback, helping the Los Angeles beat the New York Knicks 100-94 on Tuesday and extend the Lakers' winning streak to five games while lifting them to .500.

Bryant scored 34 points in his NBA-record 15th Christmas Day game and Metta World Peace added 20 points and seven rebounds while defending Carmelo Anthony, whose 34 points led the Knicks. Bryant, the league's leading scorer, has topped 30 or more points in nine straight games.

The Lakers improved to 14-14 — 9-9 under new coach Mike D'Antoni — and upped their holiday record to 21-18, including 13-9 at home.

The Knicks controlled most of the game behind Anthony and J.R. Smith, who had 24 points. But they struggled offensively in the fourth, when Anthony was limited to seven points and Smith had five.