Rodney Stuckey scored 34 points as the Detroit Pistons overcame an equalizing shot by Kobe Bryant at the end of regulation to beat the Los Angeles Lakers 88-85 in overtime on Tuesday night.
Bryant, who had leveled the game at the buzzer to force the extra session, missed from three-point range in the final seconds of overtime. Metta World Peace came up with the ball and dribbled back toward the top of the key, but his last-ditch turnaround missed as well.
Andrew Bynum had 30 points and 14 rebounds for the Lakers.
Photo: EPA
Bryant finished with 22 points on 8-of-26 shooting. He started the game with a black mask protecting his injured nose, but switched to a clear one while struggling through the first half.
CELTICS 97, 76ERS 92, OT
In Boston, Kevin Garnett grabbed 13 rebounds to replace Shaquille O’Neal at No. 12 on the NBA’s career list, while Paul Pierce scored seven of his 30 points in overtime to lead Boston over Houston.
Boston have won five straight since the All-Star break, including two in a row in overtime. Houston have lost four in a row.
Ray Allen scored 21, including a three-pointer with 36 seconds left in the fourth quarter, to give Boston the lead. However, Rajon Rondo missed an open layup with a chance to clinch it in regulation and Goran Dragic tied it for the Rockets.
Luis Scola had 18 points and 14 rebounds, while Samuel Dalembert had 11 points and 17 boards for Houston.
HEAT 108, NETS 78
In Miami, LeBron James scored 21 points and capped his night by banking in a half-court shot as Miami ended a two-game slide by rolling past New Jersey.
The win came with a cost: -Dwyane Wade turned his right ankle late in the first half and did not return, finishing with 13 points. Wade missed six games earlier this season after spraining the same ankle, though the team said he could have returned to this one if needed.
The Heat made 12 of their first 15 shots on the way to a 10th straight home win. James finished 9-for-11, adding nine rebounds and six assists, and the 78 points allowed matched Miami’s season-best.
Deron Williams, who was coming off an NBA season-high 57 points in a win over Charlotte, scored 16 for the Nets. MarShon Brooks scored 12 and Johan Petro added 11 for New Jersey, who lost to the Heat for the ninth straight time.
BOBCATS 100, MAGIC 84
In Charlotte, North Carolina, Corey Maggette scored a season-high 29 points as Charlotte overcame a 20-point first-half deficit to beat Orlando.
The Bobcats came in having lost 21 of their last 22 games, but seemed to get a spark after coach Paul Silas was ejected in the second quarter with the team trailing by 18.
The Bobcats also got a big game from rookie center Bismack Biyombo, who battled toe-to-toe with Dwight Howard and had 10 points and a career-high 15 rebounds.
Howard had 15 points and 17 rebounds, while Ryan Anderson added 14 points and 11 boards for the Magic.
HAWKS 101, PACERS 96
In Indianapolis, Indiana, Josh Smith had 27 points and nine rebounds, leading Atlanta over Indiana for their third straight victory.
Smith scored 13 points in the first quarter, 11 in the third and fell three points shy of his season high.
Jannero Pargo had 16 points, while Marvin Williams and Zaza Pachulia each scored 12 for the Hawks.
David West scored a season-high 24 points for the Pacers, who have lost two straight. Danny Granger had 19 points and eight rebounds, while George Hill scored 15 points off the bench for Indiana.
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