Lakers drub Nuggets as Kobe posts triple-double
DENVER—Kobe Bryant had 23 points, 11 assists and 11 rebounds for his 21st career triple-double, and the Los Angeles Lakers held off the Denver Nuggets, 111-103, Tuesday night to end a three-game losing streak.
Bryant shot 6 of 11 from the floor, giving him 25,000 field goal attempts for his career. The only players who’ve attempted more shots in NBA history are Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (28,307) and Karl Malone (26,210), according to STATS.
The Lakers star played nearly 32 minutes in his second game back. He missed three games around Christmas because of overall soreness.
Carlos Boozer had 19 points and Ronnie Price added a season-high 18.
Ty Lawson and Jusuf Nurkic both finished with 16 points for the Nuggets, who have lost four of five.
In Atlanta, Paul Millsap took over for Atlanta in the fourth quarter to help hold off a Cleveland comeback, and the Hawks beat the Cavaliers, who were without LeBron James, 109-101.
James, celebrating his 30th birthday, was held out with a sore left knee.
The Hawks led by 17 points early in the second half but had to hold off a comeback by Cleveland, which got 35 points from Kyrie Irving.
After a jam by Tristan Thompson cut the Atlanta lead to 93-90, Millsap scored Atlanta’s next eight points. Millsap led the Hawks with 26 points, including 10 in the fourth quarter.
Jeff Teague had 23 points and 11 assists, and Kyle Korver sank five 3-pointers while scoring 19 points.
Thompson had 18 points and 13 rebounds for Cleveland.
James’ status is day to day.
In Memphis, Mike Conley had 30 points and six assists, and Marc Gasol added 17 points to help Memphis defeat San Antonio, 95-87.
Conley connected on 10 of 13 from the field, and missed only one of his five shots from outside the arc as the Grizzlies won their second straight and claimed at least a tie with the Spurs in the season series.
Tayshaun Prince added 12 points for Memphis.
Marco Belinelli and Cory Joseph scored 18 apiece for the Spurs.
In Oakland, Marreese Speights scored 23 points, Stephen Curry added 13 points and nine assists, and Golden State beat Philadelphia, 126-86.
Draymond Green had 10 points and 10 rebounds and Leandro Barbosa scored 17 off the bench for the Warriors, who won their 10th straight home game to improve to an NBA-best 25-5.
Golden State led by as many as 47 in a game that was even more lopsided than the final score. Warriors coach Steve Kerr pulled his starters early in the fourth quarter, only to see his reserves add to the lead.
Henry Sims had 19 points and seven rebounds for Philadelphia. The 76ers (4-26) have dropped three straight following back-to-back road wins over Miami and Orlando.
In Dallas, Monta Ellis scored 20 points in 27 minutes, and Dallas handed Washington its most lopsided loss of the season, 114-87.
Nine of Ellis’ points came in the final 2:35 of the second quarter, when the Mavericks outscored the Wizards 36-21 for a 63-45 halftime lead. He shot 8-of-15 and finished with four steals without playing in the fourth quarter.
The Mavericks’ 10 straight wins over Washington represent their longest active winning streak against any team.
Chandler Parsons had 14 points, Dirk Nowitzki added 13 despite shooting 2-for-8 from the field, and Rajon Rondo had 11 points and five assists. AP
OTHER RESULTS: Trail Blazers 102, Raptors 97, OT ; Pelicans 110, Suns 106; Nets 96, Bulls 82; Pistons 109, Magic 86; Jazz 100, Timberwolves 94
