Block on buzzer gives Lakers win over Celtics
Memphis Grizzlies forward Rudy Gay (22) shoots over Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) in the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Jan. 21, 2012, in Memphis, Tenn. Gay contributed 23 points as the Grizzlies won 128-95. (AP Photo/Nikki Boertman)
SACRAMENTO, California — The Sacramento Kings pulled off a stunning upset Thursday by beating Oklahoma City 106-101, dropping the Thunder out of the NBA lead.
Tyreke Evans scored 22 points and DeMarcus Cousins had 19 points and nine rebounds for Sacramento, which is in last place in the Pacific Division.
Article continues after this advertisementSacramento scored its last nine points on free throws.
Russell Westbrook scored 33 points for Western Conference-leading Oklahoma City, which fell behind Chicago for the overall lead. The Thunder squandered an eight-point lead in the fourth quarter, committing six of their 23 turnovers in the period.
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Article continues after this advertisementLAKERS 88, CELTICS 87, OT
In Boston, Pau Gasol blocked Ray Allen’s putback attempt at the buzzer in overtime as Los Angeles held on to beat old rival Boston.
Kobe Bryant had 27 points, Gasol finished with 25 points and 14 rebounds for the Lakers, who had lost six of seven on the road going into this game.
Allen scored 22 points for the Celtics, who had won five in a row. But Kevin Garnett was 6 for 23 from the field and Paul Pierce was 7 for 18, including a clean-look jump shot at the end of overtime. It rimmed out and Allen tried to push the rebound in, but Gasol got his fingertips on it and it floated away as the buzzer sounded.
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ROCKETS 96, SUNS 89
In Phoenix, Houston made it three straight wins by downing Phoenix.
Luis Scola scored 16 points and Patrick Patterson added 14 for the Rockets, who had a 57-13 edge in scoring from bench players.
Channing Frye scored a season-high 21 points for the Suns, whose own three-game streak was ended.
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WARRIORS 109, NUGGETS 101
In Denver, Stephen Curry scored a season-best 36 points as Golden State handed fading Denver its fifth straight loss.
The Nuggets are on their longest skid for five years, and have also lost five in a row at home.
Klay Thompson added 19 points for the Warriors.
Arron Afflalo led the Nuggets with 26 points.
