LOS ANGELES, 6 March 2005 — Kobe Bryant refused to let the Los Angeles Lakers’ season-high slide go on any longer.
Bryant scored 10 of his 40 points in the final 2 minutes 15 seconds, helping the Lakers snap a four-game losing streak with a 108-103 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Friday night.
Caron Butler had 20 points while Lamar Odom added 18 points and 11 rebounds for the Lakers, (29-28), who avoided their first five-game slump since the 1993-94 season, the last time they failed to make the playoffs.
Dick Nowitzki had 23 points and 13 rebounds, while Jerry Stackhouse scored 19 points for Dallas (38-19) losers in 27 of the last 28 meetings between the two on the Lakers’ home court. Bryant ducked through two defenders and put in a nifty left-handed lay-up to give the Lakers a 97-92 edge with 2:15 remaining.
Heat 104 Kings 83: Dwyane Wade scored 22 points and Shaquille O’Neal added 18, helping the Eastern Conference-leading Heat to their fourth straight victory. Mike Bibby had 22 points for visiting Sacramento, losers in 10 of its last 14 games.
Spurs 102 Bulls 99: Tim Duncan had 31 points and 13 rebounds, including the go-ahead 18-foot jumper with 38 seconds left, helping the Spurs improve their NBA-best record to 45-13 and 26-2 at home. San Antonio’s Tony Parker had 25 points while Manu Ginobili added 19.
76ers 98 Cavaliers 89: Allen Iverson scored 31 points, while Chris Webber had 24 and 12 rebounds as the 76ers sent the sliding Cavaliers to their fifth straight loss. LeBron James led Cleveland with 34 points, and Zydrunas Ilgauskas added 22 points and 11 rebounds.
Sonics 95 Pistons 87: Rashard Lewis scored 18 points and Jerome James added a season high 16, helping the Sonics send the Pistons to their second loss following an eight-game winning streak. Richard Hamilton scored 15 points for defending NBA champions Detroit.
Celtics 104 Bobcats 84: Antoine Walker and Ricky Davis scored 18 points apiece, leading the Celtics to their fourth consecutive victory. Gary Payton returned to the Celtics’ lineup with 10 points after being shipped to Atlanta along with Michael Stewart and Tom Gugiotta for Walker last week, but waived by the Hawks on Tuesday.
Magic 111 Knicks 89: Grant Hill scored 29 points, while rookie Dwight Howard added 20 points and 15 rebounds to help the host Magic end the Knicks’ season-high three-game winning streak.
Warriors 103 Wizards 90: Jason Richardson scored 16 of his 34 points in the fourth quarter, leading the Warriors to just their seventh road win of the season. Larry Hughes led Washington with 27 points.
Grizzlies 86 Raptors 75: Shane Battier scored 12 of his career-high 33 points in the fourth quarter, giving Grizzlies’ coach Mike Fratello his 600th career victory.
Hornets 92 Jazz 85: P.J. Brown and rookie J.R. Smith scored 14 points apiece as the Hornets halted the Jazz’ three-game winning streak. Andrei Kirilenko led Utah with 21 points.
Timberwolves 103 Bucks 97: Wally Szczerbiak scored 28 points, Kevin Garnett added 25 and 10 rebounds, lifting the Timberwolves past the Bucks.
Pacers 106 Blazers 97: Reggie Miller and Stephen Jackson scored 24 points apiece as the short-handed Pacers spoiled the debut of Trail Blazers’ interim coach Kevin Pritchard.
