(The Sports Xchange) – Guard Kobe Bryant scored a season-high 21 points and handed out eight assists as the Los Angeles Lakers snapped a three-game losing streak with an 88-85 victory over the Charlotte Bobcats.
The Lakers scored the final nine points of the game after the Bobcats took an 85-79 lead into the final 2:50.
It was the Lakers’ (11-12) first win since Bryant, who also had eight assists but seven turnovers, rejoined the team on December 8.
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Trail Blazers 139, 76ers 105
One of the NBA’s most explosive offensive teams met the one featuring the most porous defense, with predictable results.
Forward LaMarcus Aldridge had 20 points and 16 rebounds and the Western Conference-leading Portland Trail Blazers drilled a franchise-record 21 three-pointers en route to a 139-105 rout of the Philadelphia 76ers (7-18).
Nicolas Batum added 17 points and nine assists for the Blazers, who hit a season-high point total while improving to 20-4. Eight players cracked double figures for Portland.
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Clippers 113, Wizards 97
Point guard Chris Paul efficiently dominated throughout with 38 points and 12 assists as the Los Angeles Clippers capped their lengthy road trip by hammering the Washington Wizards 113-97.
Paul made 11 of 14 field goals, including five of seven three-pointers, and went 11 of 11 from the free throw line for the Clippers (16-9).
Guard Jamal Crawford scored 17 points, and center DeAndre Jordan had 15 points and 10 rebounds. Point guard John Wall led the Wizards (9-13) with 24 points and 12 assists.
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Knicks 111, Hawks 106
The New York Knicks displayed a well-balanced attack as they knocked off the Atlanta Hawks 111-106.
Forward Carmelo Anthony once again led the Knicks (7-16) with a game-high 35 points.
Anthony, the league’s second-leading scorer at 25.6 points per game, came into the game with some shooting woes (43 percent), but had arguably his most efficient shooting night of the season (13-of-22), including a couple of clutch threes to help stave off the Hawks (12-12).
He added six rebounds and notched 15 of his points in the pivotal fourth quarter.
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Heat 114, Cavaliers 107
The hot-shooting Miami Heat defeated the hot-tempered Cleveland Cavailers 114-107.
The Heat shot 70 percent from the floor in the first quarter and was still at 60 percent at halftime but cooled off in the second half as their 19-point lead was erased.
But the Heat responded with an 11-1 run down the stretch to put the game away.
Heat forward LeBron James had a game-high 25 points to go with nine rebounds, nine assists and four steals.
Cavs coach Mike Brown was ejected in the second quarter, apparently upset that no foul was called when Cavs forward Alonzo Gee had his layup attempt blocked by Heat forward Shane Battier.
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Raptors 99, Bulls 77
The Toronto Raptors piled up a season-high 26 assists and rolled to a 99-77 over Chicago.
Guard Kyle Lowry led five players in double figures with 16 points. Forward DeMar DeRozan and center Jonas Valanciunas scored 15 each, while forward Amir Johnson added 14.
