Dirk, Kobe log different milestones
TORONTO—Toronto erased an 11-point deficit in the fourth quarter and overran Orlando, 104-100, on Tuesday, notching their ninth-consecutive win over the Magic and opening a two-game lead atop the NBA’s Atlantic Division.
Among other games, Dallas’ Dirk Nowitzki set a career scoring record as he helped the Mavericks come back from an even bigger deficit to beat Sacramento while Memphis’ underperforming reserves lifted the Grizzlies past the Los Angeles Lakers.
Toronto’s Kyle Lowry scored 19 points and Terrence Ross had 17 as the Eastern Conference leaders won their fifth straight game and improved to 7-1. The Raptors have won their first five home games of a season for the first time in 11 years.
Dallas’ Dirk Nowitzki became the highest-scoring NBA player born outside of the United States, helping the Mavericks rally from 24 points down to beat Sacramento, 106-98.
Nowitzki passed Hakeem Olajuwon for ninth place on the all-time scoring list. The 7-foot German finished with 23 for 26,953 career points, seven more than the Nigerian-born former star of the Houston Rockets.
Monta Ellis scored 10 of his 16 points in the third quarter when the Mavericks snatched back the lead. They have won 21 straight regular-season home games against Sacramento.
Memphis extended its home-court dominance with a 107-102 win over the Lakers.
Mike Conley scored 23 points for the Grizzlies, who have won 17-straight regular-season home games.
Backup guard Beno Udrih had 16 points for Memphis. Courtney Lee scored 15 as six Grizzlies finished in double figures.
Kobe Bryant led the Lakers (1-6) with 28 points, but shot 10 of 26 from the field and surpassed Boston Celtics great John Havlicek for the most missed field goals in an NBA career.
Milwaukee held off a late rally by Oklahoma City to beat the Thunder 85-78, with OJ Mayo scoring 19 points for the Bucks.
Portland came back from a 23-point deficit in the first half to beat Charlotte, 102-100, thanks chiefly to 29 points from Damian Lillard.
San Antonio beat Golden State, 113-100, with Tony Parker contributing 28 points and seven assists. AP
