SACRAMENTO: The Los Angeles Lakers’ NBA form dip continued Saturday, but they escaped with a 112-103 double overtime win over the lowly Sacramento Kings.
A day after receiving a Christmas Day drubbing on their own court by Cleveland, the Lakers needed all of Kobe Bryant’s 38 points to shake off the Kings.
Bryant connected on a pair of 3-pointers to put the Lakers in front 109-103 with 2:37 left. Los Angeles outscored the Kings 11-2 in the second period of overtime.
Beno Udrih scored 23 points for the Kings, who held the Lakers scoreless in the final 3:35 of the fourth quarter to force overtime.
Mavericks 106, Grizzlies 101: In Dallas, Dirk Nowitzki scored 20 points over the first three quarters, then saw his teammates take control in the fourth to carry Dallas over Memphis.
Nowitzki asked for more help from his teammates after the last game and certainly got it. Six other Mavericks scored in double-figures, with Jason Terry scoring 14 of his 23 points in the fourth quarter.
Hawks 110, Pacers 98: In Indianapolis, Al Horford had 25 points and a season-high 19 rebounds, leading Atlanta past Indiana.
Joe Johnson scored 24 points for the Hawks, who moved within half a game of Southeast Division leader Orlando.
Troy Murphy, Tyler Hansbrough and Luther Head all finished with 19 points for Indiana.
112, Bucks 97: In Milwaukee, Tim Duncan scored 26 points and San Antonio never trailed in a victory over Milwaukee.
The Spurs opened a 20-point lead in the second quarter and Milwaukee didn’t get within single digits in the second half.
Tony Parker had 16 points and eight assists for San Antonio.
Hakim Warrick scored a season-high 23 points for the Bucks.
Warriors 132, Suns 127: In Oakland, California, Golden State ended its seven-game losing skid, edging Phoenix in a high-scoring shootout.
Corey Maggette scored a season-high 33 points and eight rebounds, while Monta Ellis added 33 points and 10 assists for the Warriors.
Thunder 98, Bobcats 91: In Oklahoma City, Kevin Durant scored 30 points as Oklahoma City held off Charlotte.
Russell Westbrook had 22 for the surprising Thunder, who improved to 15-14. They didn’t earn their 15th win last season until the 60th game.
Stephen Jackson had 24 points for the Bobcats, who dropped to 1-13 on the road.
Bulls 96, Hornets 85: In Chicago, Tyrus Thomas returned from injury to score 21 points as Chicago capped an eventful week by beating New Orleans.
Thomas, back after missing 22 games with a broken left forearm, finished 10 for 17 from the floor and also had nine rebounds.
Jazz 97, 76ers 76: In Salt Lake City, Deron Williams scored 27 points to help Utah mark its return home with victory over woeful Philadelphia.
Carlos Boozer had 19 points and 11 rebounds for the Jazz, who held the Sixers scoreless for nearly nine minutes late in the second half, including an 11-0 run that put the result beyond doubt in Utah’s first home game in a fortnight.
Rockets 98, Nets 93: In East Rutherford, New Jersey, Houston inflicted New Jersey’s ninth straight loss.
Reserve Carl Landry scored 26 points, while Luis Scola and Aaron Brooks each had 17 for the Rockets, who also notched a seventh successive win over the Nets.
Devin Harris led New Jersey with 19 points.
Timberwolves 101, Wizards 89: In Minneapolis, Corey Brewer scored 23 of his career-high 27 points in the second half to lead Minnesota over Washington.
Kevin Love added 17 points and 10 rebounds for the Timberwolves.
Gilbert Arenas had 26 points, nine assists and seven rebounds, but made just 10 of his 28 shots for the Wizards.
