Phoenix coach Alvin Gentry was ejected and had to be restrained by his assistants as the Suns were beaten 102-96 by the Los Angeles Lakers in Friday's NBA action. Gentry was ejected by referee Mike Callahan after arguing that Pau Gasol should have been called for a flagrant foul on Lou Amundson's drive to the basket with 5:06 to play. Kobe Bryant had 20 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists - along with seven turnovers - for Los Angeles while Andrew Bynum added 18. Amare Stoudemire had 29 points and 16 rebounds for the Suns, playing for the first time in six days. Bucks 95, Jazz 87: In Milwaukee, the hosts knocked off yet another NBA championship contender, beating Utah. John Salmons had 24 points and Brandon Jennings added 23 for the Bucks, who have won 11 of their past 12 - including victories over Cleveland and Boston in the past week. Carlos Boozer had 26 points and 14 rebounds for Utah, but was ejected after a pair of technical fouls for arguing a no-call on what he thought was a foul with 13 seconds left. Nuggets 102, Hornets 95: In New Orleans, Denver won its fifth straight, overcoming New Orleans. Carmelo Anthony had 32 points and 12 rebounds and Chauncey Billups scored 21 points for Denver, which finished with a flourish to break open a game that was tied with 6:05 to go. David West scored 30 points for New Orleans. Cavaliers 100, 76ers 95: In Philadelphia, LeBron James had 23 points, 10 assists and six rebounds in his return as Cleveland downed Philadelphia. James was in the starting lineup after missing the previous two with an injured right ankle, and the league's leading scorer had his 26th double-double. Mo Williams added 21 points for the Cavaliers (51-15), who have the league's best record. Andre Iguodala led the Sixers with 30 points. Heat 108, Bulls 95: In Miami, the hosts added to the woes of injury-stricken Chicago. Jermaine O'Neal scored a season-high 25 points and Quentin Richardson added 23 for Miami, which extended its season-best home winning streak to five games and passed Toronto for the No. 7 spot in the Eastern Conference. James Johnson and Jannero Pargo each scored 20 for Chicago. Celtics 122, Pacers 103: In Boston, Paul Pierce scored 20 points to lead Boston over Indiana. Trail Blazers 110, Kings 94: In Sacramento, California, Brandon Roy scored 28 points as Portland beat Sacramento for its third straight victory. Bobcats 106, Clippers 98: In Charlotte, North Carolina, Carolina held off a fourth-quarter rally to beat struggling Los Angeles. Grizzlies 119, Knicks 112: In Memphis, Tennessee, Zach Randolph had 24 points and 11 rebounds as Memphis held on to beat New York. Spurs 103, Timberwolves 85: In Minneapolis, Richard Jefferson had 19 points, nine rebounds and three assists in his first start in seven games to help San Antonio beat hapless Minnesota. Thunder 104, Nets 102: In Oklahoma City, Kevin Durant scored 32 points, his franchise-record 36th 30-point game this season, as Oklahoma City edged NBA-worst New Jersey. Pistons 101, Wizards 87: In Auburn Hills, Michigan, Will Bynum had a career-best 20 assists as Detroit beat Washington in a matchup of two of the Eastern Conference's worst teams.
