Thursday, March 15, 2012

Kobe, Bynum make sure Lakers keep Grizzlies at arm's length

News photoStep up the pace: Indiana guard Dahntay Jones dunks during the Pacers' 92-75 win over the Trail Blazers on Tuesday. AP

MEMPHIS — It took two overtime periods, but the Los Angeles Lakers eventually made sure the Memphis Grizzlies stayed behind them in the Western Conference standings.

Andrew Bynum had a season-high 37 points and 16 rebounds, Kobe Bryant scored 22 of his 34 points after halftime, and the Lakers beat Memphis 116-111 in double overtime on Tuesday night.

The Lakers entered the game a half-game ahead of Memphis, which had won 12 of 15, for the third spot in the West.

"They're a young team, they're hot, and they were coming for our spot," Bynum said. "We had to defend it, and we did that."

Pau Gasol added 14 points and eight assists for the Lakers, who won their third straight. Bynum and Bryant accounted for the Lakers' last 10 points after Steve Blake connected on a 3-pointer to open the second extra period.

Bynum went 15 of 18 from the field. Bryant said Bynum's performance was indicative of a change the Lakers have made in their offensive approach, running more things through the 7-foot (213-cm) center.

"The big games he had at the start of the season, he was having good games, but he wasn't being featured," Bryant said. "This is different. We're featuring him, and we're looking for him to make plays out of double-teams, and make plays for others, not just himself."

Magic 104, Heat 98 (OT)

In Orlando, Dwight Howard had 24 points and 25 rebounds, and Jameer Nelson scored 25 points, including 12 in the fourth quarter and overtime.

Nuggets 118, Hawks 117 (OT)

In Denver, Nene scored 22 points, Ty Lawson had 21 points and seven assists and the Nuggets rallied to beat Atlanta in overtime.

Rockets 104, Thunder 103

In Oklahoma City, Courtney Lee and rookie Chandler Parsons each scored 21 points, Patrick Patterson blocked Serge Ibaka's point-blank putback attempt in the final 2 seconds, and Houston charged back from an 11-point deficit in the last 3 minutes.

Raptors 96, Cavaliers 88

In Cleveland, Jerryd Bayless scored 20 points, Andrea Bargnani added 17 and Toronto beat the Cavs for the third time this season.

Pacers 92, Trail Blazers 75

In Indianapolis, Lou Amundson scored a career-high 21 points to help the Pacers snap a four-game losing streak.

Mavericks 107, Wizards 98

In Dallas, Dirk Nowtizki scored 27 points, Jason Terry had 24 and the Mavericks got a much-needed victory.

Warriors 115, Kings 89

In Sacramento, Nate Robinson, David Lee and Brandon Rush all scored 17 points.

MILWAUKEE — The Milwaukee Bucks agreed to trade Andrew Bogut and Stephen Jackson to the Golden State Warriors, a person with direct knowledge of the deal said Tuesday night.

The Bucks will receive guard Monta Ellis, forward Ekpe Udoh and center Kwame Brown, the person confirmed to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deal had not been announced. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported the deal on its website Tuesday night.

The trade represents a parting of ways between the Bucks and Bogut, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2005 draft who has struggled with injuries. It also allows the Bucks to rid themselves of Jackson, who had fallen out of favor with coach Scott Skiles and now gets to rejoin his former team.

The players won't be separated from their respective former teams for very long, as the Warriors host the Bucks on Friday night.


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