Kobe Bryant turned back the clock with a 48-point effort to lead the Los Angeles Lakers to a 99-83 win over the Phoenix Suns Tuesday. Mixing an array of jump shots and athletic dunks, Bryant put together the highest scoring game in the NBA this season to give the Lakers their third consecutive win. “I'm just in spots where I'm extremely comfortable and I'm knocking down my jump shot,” Bryant told reporters after recording his first 40-point game since March. “Not bad for an old fella.” The 33-year-old knocked in 18 of his 31 shots from the field and scored nearly half of his team's points. The win gave the Lakers (7-4) a one-game lead over the Los Angeles Clippers at the top of the Pacific Division. Wizards 93, Raptors 78: The Washington Wizards finally earned their first victory of the season with a surprisingly comfortable home triumph over the Toronto Raptors. After opening the season with a record run of eight consecutive losses, the Wizards finally put a number in the win column with a performance built on a second quarter in which they outscored the Raptors 29-14. 76ers 112, Kings 85: Elton Brand had a season-high 21 points and 10 rebounds, and the host Philadelphia 76ers routed the Sacramento Kings for their sixth straight victory. The Sixers are 7-2 and lead the Atlantic Division. It is their best start since Allen Iverson helped them open 10-0 on their way to the NBA finals in 2000-1. Bulls 111, Timberwolves 100: Chicago's Derrick Rose scored a season-high 31 points and had 11 assists to win a duel with Ricky Rubio. Luol Deng had 21 points and 11 rebounds for the visiting Bulls, who were on their way to a blowout before Rubio led the Wolves back. Rubio had 13 points, 12 assists and 4 rebounds. Mavericks 100, Pistons 86: Dirk Nowitzki scored 18 points, and Dallas reached the .500 mark by routing host Detroit. The Mavericks started their title defense slowly, losing four of their first five games. Tuesday's win was their first on the road. Rockets 82, Bobcats 70: The rookie Chandler Parsons scored 20 points and Kevin Martin added 17 as Houston won at Charlotte to end a four-game losing streak. Jordan Hill had a double-double for the Rockets off the bench, with 12 points and 12 rebounds. Bucks 106, Spurs 103: Stephen Jackson had 34 points and 8 assists in his best game since joining Milwaukee in the off-season, leading the host Bucks. Milwaukee also got a lift from the return of center Andrew Bogut, who had 14 points and 11 rebounds after missing four games to return home to Australia for a personal issue. Other results: Thunder 100, Grizzlies 95; Jazz 113, Cavaliers 105; Trail Blazers 105, Clippers 97; Warriors 111, Heat 106 (OT).
