Los Angeles star Kobe Bryant scored double digits in points, rebounds and assists for the first time this National Basketball Association season to help drive the Lakers to a 122-110 win over the Washington Wizards.
Bryant's "triple double" in Saturday's game consisted of 25 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists. He made several key plays late in the game, as LA held off the surging Wizards long enough to preserve most of its 15-point lead from the first half. Lakers' star center Shaquille O'Neal scored 29 points. Los Angeles has won six of its last seven games.
The New Jersey Nets returned to their winning ways with a 92-86 victory over the Miami Heat, after losing their first game last week under new head coach Lawrence Frank. Kenyon Martin had 18 points and 15 rebounds, while Richard Jefferson led the Nets' scoring with 25 points. Jason Kidd added 20 points, including four free throws in the final 21 seconds to seal the home court win.
Chicago's Jamal Crawford scored 27 points, as the Bulls beat the visiting Golden State Warriors 87-81 in overtime. Eddy Curry had 26 points and 14 rebounds for Chicago, which snapped a four-game losing streak. Bulls' first year player Kirk Hinrich had 11 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists to become the first rookie of the season to have a triple-double.
Elsewhere in the NBA Saturday, the defending champion San Antonion Spurs crushed the Denver Nuggets 117-92, the Dallas Mavericks trounced the Portland Trail Blazers 111-91, and the Orlando Magic snapped a two-game skid with a 104-99 triumph over the Atlanta Hawks. Also the Indiana Pacers beat the Philadelphia 76er's 81-74, and the Memphis Grizzlies defeated the New Orleans Hornets 97-92.
Some information for this report provided by Reuters, AFP and AP.