Los Angeles ? The Los Angeles Lakers made it five straight NBA wins with a 113-100 win over the Utah Jazz yesterday, with Kobe Bryant scoring 40 points.

It was a 17th win from 18 home games for the Lakers, who remain 1-1/2 games behind Boston for bragging rights over the league?s best record.

Pau Gasol added 21 points, giving him 10,001 for his career.

Magic 86, Heat 76

In Orlando, Florida, Orlando extended its recent domination of the all-Florida rivalry, recording a 10th straight win over Miami.

Rashard Lewis scored 17 points to lead the way for the Magic, who moved 4-1/2 games clear atop the Southeast Division.

Cavaliers 117, Bulls 92

In Cleveland, Anderson Varejao scored a career-high 26 points for Cleveland in the win over Chicago.

LeBron James had 16 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds for his first triple-double of the season and the 18th of his career.

Cleveland is 17-0 at home this season.

Hornets 92, Trail Blazers 77

In Portland, Oregon, New Orleans won its fourth straight by sinking Portland.
David West had 25 points to top the Hornets? scoring.

Nets 93, Hawks 91, OT

In East Rutherford, New Jersey, Vince Carter hit a long 3-pointer at the buzzer in overtime to complete New Jersey?s comeback against Atlanta.

The Nets had trailed by 20 points at halftime but recovered to end Atlanta?s winning streak at six games.

Celtics 108, Wizards 83

In Boston, Paul Pierce scored 26 points on nearly perfect shooting as Boston downed Washington.

The result was a tonic for the Celtics after a rough road trip in which they won just one of four games after the best 29-game start in NBA history. This win improved them to 18-1 at home.

Pierce made his first nine shots and all five 3-point attempts before missing his final shot, a 3-pointer.

Raptors 94, Rockets 73

In Toronto, the home side bounced back from three straight losses to shut down Houston.

Chris Bosh and Andrea Bargnani each scored 19 points for the Raptors, who had also lost four straight at home.

Mavericks 96, 76ers 86

In Dallas, Dirk Nowitzki scored 31 points to lead Dallas over Philadelphia.

Jason Terry added 21 in Dallas? sixth victory in its past seven games.

Spurs 91, Grizzlies 80

In Memphis, Tennessee, Tim Duncan had 20 points and 10 rebounds to spark San Antonio?s win over Memphis.


Pistons 98, Kings 92

In Auburn Hills, Michigan, Detroit notched its sixth successive win by downing Sacramento.

Rodney Stuckey scored 13 of his 38 points in the fourth quarter to steer the Pistons home.

Suns 106, Clippers 98

In Phoenix, Amare Stoudemire scored 23 points to help Phoenix inflict Los Angeles? sixth straight defeat.
The Suns have won three in succession.

Bucks 103, Bobcats 75

In Milwaukee, the home team continued its sudden renaissance, thrashing Charlotte to notch a fifth consecutive victory.
Michael Redd scored 31 points and Charlie Villanueva had 27 for the Bucks.

Nuggets 122, Thunder 120

In Oklahoma City, Carmelo Anthony?s 3-pointer from the corner with 0.1 seconds left gave Denver a thrilling win over Oklahoma City.

The game-winner came after Oklahoma City?s Kevin Durant hit a 3-pointer with 2.7 seconds left to put the Thunder ahead. Anthony?s basket capped a 31-point performance.Other Results: Pacers 105, Knicks 103; Wolves 115, Warriors 108. AP