The Los Angeles Lakers snapped a six-game losing streak with a 105-90 win over the lowly Boston Celtics in a National Basketball Association contest.
The host Lakers were led Friday by Kobe Bryant, who scored 38 points, coming up just short of his fourth straight 40-point game against Boston.
The once-proud Celtics have the worst record in the NBA at 13-41, having lost 28 of their last 31 games, and 11 straight on the road.
Chicago's Luol Deng of Sudan scored a career high 32 points to lead the Bulls to a 105-90 win over the Washington Wizards.
New Jersey's Jason Kidd had his 84th career triple-double with 22 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists in the Nets 109-96 victory over the Sacramento Kings.
114-104. The Memphis Grizzlies edged the Portland Trail Blazers, 103-102. The Detroit Pistons got by the Orlando Magic, 94-89. The Charlotte Bobcats tripped up the Philadelphia 76ers, 102-87. The Phoenix Suns notched a 116-104 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Toronto Raptors defeated the Indiana Pacers, 110-88. The New Orleans Hornets eked out a 98-97 win over the Seattle SuperSonics. The Atlanta Hawks beat the Houston Rockets, 105-99. And the New York Knicks overcame 23 turnovers to down the Milwaukee Bucks, 95-93.
Some information for this report provided by AP and AFP.