Kobe Bryant scored 41 points to lead the Los Angeles Lakers to a 130-124 win and spoil the debut of his old teammate Shaquille O'Neal with the Phoenix Suns in the NBA on Wednesday.
The win was the sixth in a row for Los Angeles, which moved equal with Phoenix atop the Pacific Division.
O'Neal scored 9 of his 15 points in the final quarter and grabbed 9 rebounds in 29 minutes in his first game in nearly a month, during which he was traded from Miami. O'Neal played for the Lakers from 1996-2004 and helped lead them to three NBA titles.
Hornets 104, Mavericks 93
In New Orleans, Chris Paul had 31 points, 11 assists and a career-high nine steals to spoil Jason Kidd's debut with Dallas and lift New Orleans.
Kidd, acquired from New Jersey, looked out of sorts at times, committing 6 turnovers. Having practiced only twice with his new teammates, Kidd finished with 8 points and 5 assists.
Meanwhile, Paul's performance on both ends of the floor had the crowd on its feet, raining down chants of "M-V-P!" for their own All-Star point guard.
New Orleans extended their lead atop the Southwest Division to two games and is now three clear of Dallas.
Cavaliers 106, Pacers 97
In Indianapolis, LeBron James had his second consecutive triple-double, with 31 points, 14 rebounds and 12 assists for Cleveland against Indiana.
It was James' sixth triple-double of the season and the 16th of his career, and it helped the Cavaliers snap successive losses and stay comfortably fifth in Eastern Conference standings.
The Pacers lost their third straight to slip further from the playoff positions.
Cleveland has won six straight against the Pacers, including all three meetings this season.
76ers 124, Knicks 84
In Philadelphia, the home side scored 100 points through the first three quarters to crush New York.
New York had turnovers on almost every possession in some stretches, took ugly shots and trailed by 46 points in the third quarter. By the fourth quarter, fans started the familiar "Fire Isiah!" chant, aimed at beleagured Knicks coach Isiah Thomas.
The Sixers won their sixth straight at home and hold eighth spot in the Eastern Conference.
Philadelphia's win came hours after the Sixers gave coach Maurice Cheeks a one-year contract extension.
Raptors 127, Magic 110
In Toronto, Chris Bosh had 40 points -- going 14-for-16 from the field and 11-for-11 from the foul line -- as Toronto downed Orlando.
Jose Calderon had 19 points and 13 assists for the Raptors.
Bosh made 11 of his first 12 shots and even made a rare 3-pointer in the third quarter.
Bucks 103, Pistons 98
In Milwaukee, the home team snapped a four-game losing streak against Detroit.
Michael Redd scored 27 points and Andrew Bogut continued his good form with 14 points and 14 rebounds as Milwaukee also snapped a streak of four-straight defeats by Detroit.
The Pistons finally came on in the final four minutes after trailing by as many as 21 in the second half.
In other games, it was: Nets 110, Bulls 102, OT; Warriors 119, Celtics 117; Clippers 100, Grizzlies 86; Kings 119, Hawks 107.
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