The New Jersey Nets ended a three-game losing streak with a 109-96 win over the Sacramento Kings on Friday.
Jason Kidd got his 84th career triple-double with 22 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists despite playing with a cracked rib that the Nets revealed on Thursday. It was Kidd's ninth triple-double of the season, tying his personal high, and his sixth against the Kings.
Vince Carter led the Nets with 26 points. He also had 11 rebounds. Both Kidd and Carter were the subjects of trade rumors which did not pan out by Thursday's deadline.
PHOTO: AP
Bulls 105, Wizards 90
At Chicago, Luol Deng tied a career high with 32 points and Kirk Hinrich added 20 points and 12 to help Chicago win its third straight game since the All-Star break.
Gilbert Arenas scored 36 points for the Wizards and during one stretch had 18 straight Washington points. His three-point play got Washington within four in the final quarter, but then the Bulls took off.
Lakers 122, Celtics 96
At Los Angeles, Kobe Bryant had 38 points and nine assists to help Los Angeles end a six-game losing streak that had been the longest of Phil Jackson's coaching career.
Reserve forward Gerald Green scored 21 points for the Celtics. Boston has lost 28 of 31 and 11 straight on the road, two shy of the club record set in 1978-79, when the team dropped its final 13 games to end the season.
Jazz 114, Nuggets 104
At Denver, Deron Williams and Carlos Boozer returned to Utah's lineup and helped Utah rout Denver.
The Jazz, seeking their first division title since 2000, beat the Nuggets for the sixth straight time and increased their lead over second-place Denver to a whopping nine-and-a-half games.
Grizzlies 103, Trail Blazers 102
At Portland, Oregon, Pau Gasol had 23 points, Mike Miller added 19 points and seven rebounds and Memphis survived a strange ending to beat Portland.
Zach Randolph had 25 points and seven rebounds for Portland, which had a chance to tie the game after Lawrence Roberts was called for a loose-ball foul. Portland had made it 102-101 on a 3-pointer from Brandon Roy, then fouled Damon Stoudamire with 0.8 seconds left.
Pistons 94, Magic 89
At Orlando, Florida, the Pistons' Chauncey Billups scored 28 points and Richard Hamilton added 22 in Detroit's win over Orlando.
It was the second time in three nights Detroit beat Orlando. This time Orlando had a chance, but the Magic didn't score a field goal for the first 10:30 of the final period, squandering a 71-67 lead.
Bobcats 102, 76ers 87
At Charlotte, North Carolina, Adam Morrison, Matt Carroll and Gerald Wallace each scored 19 points and the Bobcats, minus its sick coach, tied a team record with its fourth straight win.
The Bobcats, who won four in a row to end last season, were never threatened by the 76ers despite coach Bernie Bickerstaff leaving the bench late in the first quarter with flu symptoms.
Suns 116, Timberwolves 104
At Minneapolis, Shawn Marion scored 27 points, Leandro Barbosa added 24 and Amare Stoudemire had 23 as the Phoenix Suns overcame Minnesota.
Steve Nash added nine points and 15 assists in his third game back after missing four starts with a right shoulder inflammation.
Raptors 110, Pacers 88
At Toronto, Chris Bosh had 23 points and 12 rebounds as Toronto downed Indiana.
Jorge Garbajosa added 16 points for the Raptors, who have won nine of their last 10 at home.
Toronto won to rebound from a disappointing loss to Cleveland on Wednesday.
Hornets 98, SuperSonics 97
At New Orleans, David West had 23 points and 11 rebounds to help New Orleans edge Seattle and move into the eighth spot in the Western Conference.
Tyson Chandler added 15 points and 19 rebounds for New Orleans (27-29), which moved ahead of idle Golden State (26-29) by a half game for the last playoff spot in the West.
Hawks 105, Rockets 99
At Atlanta, Joe Johnson scored 31 points and Atlanta overcame a 37-point effort by Tracy McGrady to beat Houston.
Josh Smith and Marvin Williams each had 20 points for the Hawks, who hit seven free throws over the final 75 seconds to seal the victory.
Knicks 95, Bucks 93
At New York, Channing Frye made two free throws after a video review put 0.8 seconds back on the clock to give New York a win over Milwaukee.
The Knicks were able to overcome 23 turnovers and a quiet night from Eddy Curry, their leading scorer, by capitalizing on a second chance after they appeared to be headed for overtime.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
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