Kobe Bryant exacted revenge for his broken nose with a game-high 33 points as the Los Angeles Lakers beat Miami Heat 93-83 in an emotion-charged victory at the Staples Center on Sunday.
Bryant, who suffered the injury and concussion in a hard foul laid by Miami’s Dwyane Wade during last weekend’s All-Star Game, made an early statement with 18 points in the first quarter and added six straight late in the fourth when the visitors threatened.
“He’s a great scorer,” Miami’s LeBron James told reporters of Bryant. “He’s one of the best of all time and he got it going.”
James held his own with 25 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists to lead Miami who trailed for most of the night, but pulled within six points with a little more than a minute to go.
Bryant promptly quelled the threat with a jump shot to hand Miami their second straight loss.
“It’s fun to compete against the best,” Bryant told reporters of his head-to-head battles against Wade and James. “It’s always enjoyable.”
Prior to the contest, both teams claimed there would be no carryover from the All-Star Game incident, but emotions ran high. James and Pau Gasol were given technical fouls for a minor dustup at the end of the third quarter.
Wade was booed roundly by the passionate crowd and he struggled to seven-of-17 shooting for 16 points. He was fouled out with a little more than five minutes left, prompting the Staples Center to mock him with a standing ovation.
The Heat, who have fallen 1.5 games behind East-leading Chicago, were playing a third straight game without Chris Bosh, who has been mourning a death in the family.
Without their top post presence, Miami shot just 37 percent in the field and had their -second--lowest scoring game of the season after managing just 82 in a Jan. 22 loss to Milwaukee.
“We’re a no excuses team,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “Chris Bosh is a major component to what we do, [but the Lakers] earned it. You have to give them credit.”
Fueled by an aggressive Bryant and a stingy defense, the Lakers jumped on top early and led by 50-38 at halftime.
The Heat went with a small lineup for the second half, putting James at power forward and bringing in Shane Battier to play small forward.
The ploy appeared to work as they cut the lead to two points late in the third, but Los Angeles responded with a 7-0 run to end the quarter.
Metta World Peace delivered a strong effort for the Lakers with 17 points, and Andrew Bynum was a force in the paint as he finished with 16 points and 13 rebounds, helping the Lakers move into third place in the West.
NETS 104, BOBCATS 101
In Charlotte, North Carolina, Deron Williams scored a franchise-record 57 points to lift the New Jersey Nets to victory over the Charlotte Bobcats.
Williams, who came into the game averaging 21.7 points, shot 16 of 29 from the field and was a perfect 21 for 21 from the free-throw line.
Williams broke the franchise’s previous mark of 52 points, shared by Mike Newlin and Ray Williams. It was the second-most points scored against the Bobcats, one shy of Kobe Bryant’s 58 in 2006.
Corey Maggette had 24 points and Gerald Henderson added 15 for the Bobcats, who have lost five straight and 21 of their last 22.
BULLS 96, 76ERS 91
In Philadelphia, Derrick Rose tied a season high with 35 points and Joakim Noah had 11 points and 18 rebounds to lead Chicago to their sixth straight win.
In a battle of division leaders, the Bulls made all the big shots over the final minutes to end a three-game losing streak against the Sixers.
Leading 91-89, the Bulls turned the ball over, but Andre Iguodala tossed up an air ball on a three-point attempt. Again the Bulls turned the ball over, and this time it was Thaddeus Young who missed a jumper for the Sixers. At least his shot hit the rim.
RAPTORS 83, WARRIORS 75
In Toronto, DeMar DeRozan scored 25 points and James Johnson had 12 points and 12 rebounds as Toronto beat Golden State.
Amir Johnson had 11 points and 13 rebounds, Leandro Barbosa scored 18 points and Ed Davis grabbed 12 rebounds for the Raptors, who have lost 11 of their last 14.
David Lee had 22 points and 12 rebounds, and Monta Ellis scored 20 points, but Golden State lost for the sixth time in nine games.
CLIPPERS 105, ROCKETS 103, OT
In Houston, Texas, Chris Paul had 28 points and 10 assists, while Blake Griffin added 14 points and 11 rebounds as the Los Angeles Clippers beat Houston in overtime.
Randy Foye had 15 points and Caron Butler and Mo Williams had 14 apiece for the Clippers, who beat Houston for only the eighth time in their last 33 meetings.
Kevin Martin scored 25 points, and Samuel Dalembert and Luis Scola each grabbed 12 rebounds for the Rockets, who have lost three in a row after winning their previous four.
SUNS 96, KINGS 88
In Phoenix, Arizona, Steve Nash had 19 points and Marcin Gortat scored 14 and matched his season high with 17 rebounds as Phoenix earned their third consecutive victory.
In all three wins, the Suns rallied from double-digit deficits, something the franchise have not done since November 2002.
Marcus Thornton scored 23 and Tyreke Evans 17 for Sacramento. DeMarcus Cousins added 16 points and 14 rebounds, but the Kings shot just 33 percent in the second half to fall to 4-19 on the road.
NUGGETS 99, SPURS 94
In San Antonio, Texas, Ty Lawson had 22 points and 11 assists and sank the game-sealing jumper with 11.9 seconds left, and the injury-laden Denver Nuggets overshadowed the return of Manu Ginobili to beat the Spurs.
Still without leading scorer Danilo Gallinari and Nene, the Nuggets won their third in a row with a short-handed cast that became just the third team to beat San Antonio at home.
Tony Parker led the Spurs with 25 points. Ginobili scored eight in 24 minutes, playing his first game in two weeks after straining a stomach muscle. He missed a month earlier with a broken hand.
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