Kobe Bryant scored 13 points on 4-of-20 shooting after declaring he is to retire at the end of the season, before the Indiana Pacers hung on 107-103 to send his Los Angeles Lakers to their sixth consecutive defeat on Sunday.
Paul George scored the Pacers’ final 11 points in the last 1 minute, 27seconds, finishing with 39, as Indiana opened a four-game West Coast road trip with their fifth straight victory, despite blowing all but one point of a 22-point lead.
Bryant overcame another poor shooting night with two big late jumpers that reflected his vintage offensive skills. His quick-release three-pointer from straightaway with 11 seconds left trimmed Indiana’s lead to 104-103.
Photo: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY
After the Lakers got the ball back with a three-point deficit, Bryant shot an airball on a three-pointer.
GRIZZLLES 92, 76ERS 84
Zach Randolph had 17 points and 11 rebounds for Memphis to help send Philadelphia to a record-tying 18th straight loss to start the season.
The Sixers have lost an NBA-record 28 consecutive games dating to last season and at 0-18 matched the New Jersey Nets’ start in 2009-2010.
Mike Conley led the Grizzlies with 20 points, while Matt Barnes and Jeff Green finished with 13 apiece as Memphis won for the seventh time in the last nine.
Isaiah Canaan led the Sixers with 16 points, while Robert Covington and Hollis Thompson scored 12 points apiece.
The Sixers led 76-71 with 7 minutes, 38 seconds remaining and Memphis fans booed their team.
However, the Grizzlies went on a 15-1 run to retake control of the game, with Randolph scoring eight points in the rally.
CLIPPERS 107, TIMBERWOLVES 99
Blake Griffin scored 12 of his 26 points in the final 6 minutes, 32 seconds to lead Los Angeles to victory over Minnesota.
Griffin also had eight rebounds and seven assists, while Chris Paul added 20 points and nine assists, and J.J. Redick added 18 points for the Clippers.
Los Angeles beat Minnesota for the 13th consecutive time and seventh straight at the Staples Center.
The Clippers tied their longest winning streak against any opponent in franchise history.
Andrew Wiggins scored 21 points for Minnesota.
In other games, it was:
‧ Suns 107, Raptors 102
‧ Rockets 116, Knicks 111, OT
‧ Hornets 87, Bucks 82
‧ Nets 87, Pistons 83
‧ Magic 110, Celtics 91
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