Kobe Bryant scored 37 points, including two drives to spark a 14-2 second-half run, and the Los Angeles Lakers spoiled Atlanta's home opener, beating the Hawks 103-97 on Tuesday night.
Bryant topped the 30-point mark for the fourth straight game and had 37 for the second straight game -- just off his NBA-best average of 36.3.
Atlanta, sparked by Joe Johnson's season-high 26 points, led 29-19 in the first quarter and 51-48 at halftime. But following the last tie at 63, Bryant scored on back-to-back drives to send the Lakers on the run that made it 77-65.
The Lakers kept the lead in double figures most of the rest of the game.
Smush Parker had 21 points and has scored 20 or more points in three of the Lakers' four games.
Lamar Odom added 13 points and 11 rebounds, and Devean George had 12 points.
Al Harrington returned after missing two games with an ankle injury to get 18 points and 10 rebounds for Atlanta. Tyronn Lue and Zaza Pachulia each had 13 points.
Magic 76, Rockets 74
At Houston, Steve Francis scored 27 points and had two assists to Jameer Nelson in the final two minutes as Orlando won for the first time in four games.
The Rockets (1-2) lost their second straight without Tracy McGrady, who's out three weeks with a back injury.
Yao Ming had 17 points for Houston, which finished 26-of-70 from the field (37 percent).
France’s Kevin Aymoz snatched the men’s title at Skate America on Saturday, winning his first grand prix title with a battling free skate, while short program leader Kazuki Tomono faltered. It was an emotional triumph for Aymoz, who made his grand prix level debut in 2017, with seven prior podium finishes, but no gold. He had struggled with a painful foot injury since a disappointing 10th-place finish at Skate Canada last month. “It was so difficult,” the 28-year-old said. “After Skate Canada I wanted to give up so much and today I’m here and it’s so beautiful to be with my friends competing
Nigeria’s soccer coach has accused the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo) of practicing “voodoo” after his squad’s hopes of qualifying for next year’s FIFA World Cup ended in a penalty shoot-out loss in the African playoff final. DR Congo and Nigeria drew 1-1 after extra-time in the tie in Rabat, Morocco, on Sunday and the central Africans won 4-3 on penalties to book a place in inter-confederation playoffs in Mexico in March next year. In his post-match remarks to journalists, coach Eric Chelle said a member of the DR Congo team “did some voodoo, every time, every time, every time.” “That
A start-up’s entry into prediction market trading is raising fresh questions about the involvement of NBA owners in sports betting. The start-up, Mojo Interactive Inc, was cofounded by Alex Rodriguez and Marc Lore, the owners of the NBA’s Minnesota Timberwolves and the WNBA’s Lynx. Mojo has started trading on the outcome of sports games on the prediction market exchange Kalshi, an arrangement that is now being reviewed by the NBA. Mojo began trading event contracts tied to sports during the NFL season this fall, according to Mojo CEO Vinit Bharara. Mojo has yet to trade on any NBA games, Bharara said in
Australian cyclist Paige Greco, a Paralympic gold medalist, has died. She was 28. A joint statement by the Australian Paralympic Committee and Cycling Australia said that Greco “passed away in her Adelaide home after experiencing a sudden medical episode” on Sunday. “Paige meant everything to us,” her mother Natalie Greco said. “Her kindness, her determination and her warmth touched our family every single day. She brought so much joy and pride into our lives, and the pain of her passing is something we will carry forever, “ Natalie Greco said. “While we are devastated by her loss, we are incredibly proud of the person she
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