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Kobe reaches new heights for Lakers

"When you have a great player like that you just have to ride him [Kobe Bryant]."

Shaquille O'Neal

Kobe Bryant scored a league-best 51 points for the Los Angeles Lakers despite playing less than three quarters in the 113-102 victory over the Denver Nuggets Wednesday.

Bryant did not play at all in the final 13 minutes but finished 15-for-28 from the field and hit 18 of 20 free throws. It was the 11th time this season he had at least 40 points in a game.

The 24-year-old shooting guard has now scored at least 35 points in seven successive games. Bryant had 36 points at the half against Denver as the Lakers strolled to a 70-38 lead.

Shaquille O'Neal, who added 18 points and 10 rebounds before sitting out the fourth, said, "When you have a great player like that you just have to ride him [Bryant].

"He's my choice for the MVP right now. He's playing at a very high level, shooting the ball well and everybody's following his lead."

Juwan Howard had 22 points for Denver, beaten in three consecutive games and 10 out of 12.

Pacers 83 Hornets 72

In New Orleans, Brad Miller scored 18 points to lead the Indiana Pacers past the Hornets 83-72.

Reggie Miller added 17 points while Jermaine O'Neal had 14 as the Pacers improved to 36-15, the second best record in the NBA.

Jamal Mashburn led New Orleans with 18 points. PJ Brown added 14 points while Jamaal Magloire grabbed a career-high 20 rebounds.

Rockets 106 Jazz 76

In Salt Lake City, Steve Francis collected 36 points as the Houston Rockets avenged an overtime loss to the Utah Jazz 24 hours earlier by romping home 106-76.

Yao Ming scored 15 points for Houston, which snapped a three-game losing streak. James Posey and Maurice Taylor both added 13 points.

Bucks 120 Mavericks 114

In Milwaukee, Ray Allen picked up 28 points as the Bucks downed the slumping Dallas Mavericks 120-114.

Tim Thomas added a season-high 27 points for Milwaukee, which has won two games in succession and is now 26-23.

Dirk Nowitzki led Dallas with 27 points and 12 rebounds. Steve Nash scored 26 points and Michael Finley 25 for the Mavericks, who have lost three games in a row for the second time this season.

Wizards 108 Clippers 104

In Los Angeles, Michael Jordan scored 23 points and had 12 assists to steer the Washington Wizards to a 108-104 win over the Clippers.

Grizzlies 97 Nets 90

In Memphis, Earl Watson scored 21 points in an emergency start to help the Grizzlies upset the New Jersey Nets 97-90.

Watson only started when Jason Williams was scratched because of flu, but he was the spark as the Grizzlies ended a seven-game losing streak.

Jason Kidd scored 28 points for the Nets, who are 12-15 on the road this season and 22-2 at home.

76ers 119 Bulls 111 (OT)

In Philadelphia, Allen Iverson picked up 36 points to lead the 76ers past the Chicago Bulls 119-111 in overtime.

Keith Van Horn added 18 points and 13 rebounds for the 76ers while Kenny Thomas had 17 points and 10 rebounds. Eric Snow contributed 15 points and 11 assists.

Jalen Rose had season-highs of 38 points and 13 assists for the Bulls, who are an NBA-worst 2-26 on the road. Tyson Chandler had 21 points and a career-high 17 rebounds for Chicago, beaten in seven games in a row.

Timberwolves 102 Cavaliers 91

In Cleveland, Kevin Garnett had 26 points and 15 rebounds to steer the Minnesota Timberwolves to a 102-91 victory over the Cavaliers.

Raptors 97 Hawks 96

In Toronto, Antonio Davis claimed 22 points as the Raptors won their fourth consecutive game, 97-96 over the Atlanta Hawks.

Vince Carter had 21 points, 13 in the final five minutes, as the Raptors improved to 5-1 since he returned from missing 23 games with a knee injury.
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