Lakers blow out Knicks for 4th straight victory
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The Los Angeles Lakers shut down the high-energy New York Knicks to power to their fourth straight victory in a 109-87 triumph on Sunday.
Kobe Bryant had 27 points and 10 rebounds while Pau Gasol added 20 points and 14 rebounds for the Lakers (27-11), who held New York to its second lowest point total of the season.
The Knicks, who entered the game averaging a league-best 108.1 points per game, shot just 36 percent from the field as they had their three-game win streak snapped.
"We played good team defense and took them out of their comfort zones," Lakers forward Lamar Odom said after finishing with 13 points and 18 rebounds.
"We just tried to play hard tonight and play a tough game. We were able to do that and get the win."
The Lakers led by six points at halftime but stretched their lead to 16 in the third quarter, where Bryant began things with consecutive three-pointers. The Knicks trimmed the lead to eight early in the fourth but went long stretches without scoring in the final period where they tallied just 17 points and fell far behind.
Amare Stoudemire had 23 points and 10 rebounds, but made just 7 of 24 shots, and Wilson Chandler added 19 for New York (21-15).
Los Angeles dominated inside with a 61-42 rebounding advantage and controlled a physical and sometimes testy contest. Lakers center Andrew Bynum scored 18 points before he was ejected with two quick technical fouls early in the fourth where he protested a foul call.
Also, LeBron James had 44 points, 13 rebounds and six assists and Dwyane Wade added 34 points as the Miami Heat beat the Portland Trail Blazers 107-100 in overtime.
Elsewhere, it was: Hornets 96, Nuggets 87; Raptors 118, Kings 112; Clippers 105, Warriors 91; Spurs 94, Timberwolves 91; Suns 108, Cavaliers 100.
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