Bryant sparks Lakers surge over Celtics
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Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) works against Boston Celtics guard Ray Allen (20) in the second half of an NBA basketball game in Boston yesterday. The Lakers won 92-86. |
Los Angeles' Kobe Bryant scored 20 of his 23 points in the second half to power the Lakers to a come-from-behind 92-86 win over the host Boston Celtics in the rematch of the NBA finals.
Pau Gasol added 20 points and 10 rebounds for the Lakers, who split the regular-season series with their biggest rivals and got a sorely needed victory against one of the league's top teams.
Boston's Ray Allen became the NBA's career leader in 3-pointers in the first quarter, but Bryant later put him on the bench in foul trouble during his big second half that rallied Los Angeles from an early 15-point deficit.
Allen hit two 3-pointers in the first quarter to pass former Indiana Pacers star Reggie Miller (2,560), who was sitting courtside calling the game. But he made only one more and had 20 points after scoring 12 in the first quarter.
Nuggets 121, Mavericks 120
In Denver, Arron Afflalo sank a 19-footer at the buzzer as Denver ended Dallas' 10-game winning streak in dramatic style.
Denver's Nene hit 1 of 2 free throws with 33.3 seconds left to tie it, but Dirk Nowitzki hit one free throw with 19.6 seconds left to give Dallas a one-point lead.
Denver chose not to call a timeout, and Chauncey Billups found Afflalo, who got a shot off before the horn that went in to the roar of home fans. Afflalo finished with 24 points.
Carmelo Anthony scored 42 points for Denver, which overcame a nine-point deficit in the last 2:51 to win.
Jason Terry scored 25 points for the Mavericks.
Suns 112, Warriors 88
In Phoenix, three days after his 37th birthday, Steve Nash had 18 points and 11 assists, then sat out the fourth quarter as Phoenix went on to the easy win over Golden State.
Channing Frye added 17 points and nine rebounds for the Suns, who beat the Warriors for the second time in four nights to climb to .500 (25-25) for the first time since Dec. 19.
Ekpe Udoh and Brandan Wright scored 16 apiece for the Warriors.
The Suns made it a blowout with a 20-0 run - the last 14 points of the first half and first six of the second - to go up 71-42.
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