Kobe Bryant sank a go-ahead fallaway jumper with 7.3 seconds left to give the Los Angeles Lakers a 90-89 victory over Boston on Sunday and send the struggling Celtics to their sixth loss in eight games.
The Celtics, who led by 11 points in the fourth quarter, nursed a one-point lead until Paul Pierce was called for an offensive foul for pushing off as he jumped to shoot with 28 seconds left.
Bryant, who shot just 8 for 20 in the game, dribbled down the shot clock before stepping back from defender Ray Allen and making a basket to give Los Angeles the lead.
Bryant finished with 19, and Andrew Bynum had 19 points and 11 rebounds.
Rajon Rondo had 21 points and 12 assists for the Celtics.
Cavaliers 114, Clippers 89
At Cleveland, LeBron James scored half of Cleveland’s 46 points in the first quarter as the Cavaliers equaled an NBA record with 11 3-pointers in the opening period of their victory over Los Angeles.
The 46 points tied a franchise mark for most in a quarter, and Cleveland’s 16 3-pointers fell one shy of the team record for a game. Cleveland has won eight straight.
James, who finished with 32 points and 11 assists, fueled the early outburst by making his first seven shots — including four 3s.
Cleveland made 3-pointers on seven consecutive possessions during the spurt.
Thunder 112, Warriors 104
At Oklahoma City, Kevin Durant scored a season-high 45 points to take over second place in the NBA scoring race as Oklahoma City beat Golden State.
Durant made 16-of-21 shots and ended up two points short of the highest-scoring output of his career. Russell Westbrook added 28 points and eight assists.
Corey Maggette scored 26 points for Golden State and Monta Ellis added 25, including a pair of 3-pointers that got the Warriors within three late. But he missed a potential game-tying 3-pointer with 1:06 left, and the Warriors didn’t score again.
Nuggets 103, Spurs 89
At San Antonio, Kenyon Martin scored 27 points as Denver won again without Carmelo Anthony.
The NBA’s leading scorer missed his fourth consecutive game with a sprained ankle but the Nuggets still bounced back after Oklahoma City ended their eight-game win streak on Friday.
Chauncey Billups scored 25 and J.R Smith had 18 for the Nuggets, who’ve breezed through the new year so far. Denver went 12-3 last month.
George Hill scored 17 points in place of San Antonio’s own injured star, Tony Parker.
Magic 91, Pistons 86
At Auburn Hills, Michigan, J.J. Redick scored 17 points and Dwight Howard overcame free-throw problems to put up 16 points and 14 rebounds as Orlando beat struggling Detroit.
The victory means Orlando’s Stan Van Gundy will coach the Eastern Conference in the All-Star game on Feb. 14 in Arlington, Texas.
Rodney Stuckey had 18 points and Tayshaun Prince added 16 for Detroit.
In other games it was:
• Suns 115, Rockets 111 OT
• Raptors 117, Pacers 102
• 76ers 83, Nets 79
• Timberwolves 112, Knicks 91
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