LOS ANGELES: Kobe Bryant had 25 points to move into ninth place on the NBA's career scoring list, as the Los Angeles Lakers beat the New Orleans Hornets 101-97 Friday. Pau Gasol had 21 points and 13 rebounds for the two-time defending champions, who have rebounded from a prolonged holiday skid and stories of minor team discord with five wins in six days. Bryant followed up his milestone basket in the third quarter with two key buckets in the final 2 minutes. David West had 23 points and 12 rebounds for the Hornets. Spurs 90, Pacers 87: In Indianapolis, San Antonio got back on the winning track by edging Indiana. Having lost successive games, the league-leading Spurs were again less than convicing, but 25 points from Manu Ginobili helped secure the win. Tim Duncan had 15 points and 15 rebounds for San Antonio, which overcame a 15-point deficit to become the first team in the league to win 30 games. Tyler Hansbrough had career highs of 23 points and 12 rebounds in his first start of the season for the Pacers, who have lost five of six. Indiana shot 1 for 15 in the fourth but still had a chance to take the lead in the final seconds, however Roy Hibbert's hook shot fell short. Heat 101, Bucks 95, OT: In Milwaukee, surging Miami beat Milwaukee in overtime to extend its road winning streak to 12 games. Miami has won 20 of its last 21 but this was by far one of the grittiest games the Heat have played as they inch closer to the 1971-72 Lakers' record streak of 16 consecutive road wins. Chris Bosh had 16 points and 12 rebounds, including 10 of his 16 in the fourth quarter and overtime, while LeBron James added 26 points and 10 rebounds. Andrew Bogut had a career-high 27 rebounds for the Bucks. Grizzlies 110, Jazz 99: In Memphis, the hosts notched a third straight win by defeating Utah. Rudy Gay scored 28 points and Zach Randolph added 26 points and 11 rebounds for the Grizzlies. Paul Millsap returned from injury to lead the Jazz with 20 points. Utah committed a season-worst 23 turnovers. Celtics 122, Raptors 102: In Boston, a victory over Toronto secured Boston's 3,000th win. Rookie Luke Harangody had career highs with 17 points and 11 rebounds. He had never played more than 16 minutes in a game and had only four career points, but got in early for the undermanned Celtics. Paul Pierce scored 20 for Boston, which tied a season high for points in a half with 67 in the first and never let the Raptors get closer than 12 in the second half. DeMar DeRozan led Toronto with 20 points. Magic 110, Rockets 95: In Orlando, the hosts rolled to their eighth straight win, beating Houston. Jason Richardson and Brandon Bass scored 18 points apiece for the Magic, who clung to a three-point advantage at the half, but blew open the game by starting the third quarter on a 19-5 run to build a 74-55 cushion. Bass had seven points during the spurt to help the Magic take a 92-71 lead into the final period. Kevin Martin led the Rockets with 27 points. 76ers 105, Bulls 99: In Philadelphia, the home avenged an embarrassing defeat to Chicago. Trail Blazers 108, Timberwolves 98: In Minneapolis, Wesley Matthews scored 29 of his career-high 36 points in the first half as Portland downed Minnesota. Warriors 116, Cavaliers 98: In Oakland, Golden State sent Cleveland to its ninth straight defeat. Wizards 97, Nets 77: In Washington, the home team raced to an early 18-point lead and then cruised past New Jersey.
