Bryant Helps Lakers Top 76ers 111-98
The Los Angeles Lakers won consecutive games for the first time in nearly a month as Kobe Bryant scored 34 points to lead a 111-98 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday.
Metta World Peace added 19 points and a career-high 16 rebounds, and Dwight Howard had 17 points and 11 rebounds for the Lakers, who led 60-50 at halftime.
Darius Morris had a career-high 15 points, all in the first half, and Chris Duhon scored 14.
The Lakers (11-14), who beat Washington 102-96 on Friday, won two in a row for the first time since a three-game streak from Nov. 16-20.
Nick Young paced the reeling Sixers (12-12) with 30 points, while Spencer Hawes and Evan Turner added 16 apiece.
Denver reserve JaVale McGee scored 19 points and Danilo Gallinari had 18 as the Nuggets built a big lead in the first half to cruise past the Sacramento Kings 122-97.
The Nuggets scored 16 straight points to snap a first-quarter tie and take control.
Isaiah Thomas had 20 points and DeMarcus Cousins had 19 points and 11 rebounds for the Kings.
Jose Calderon had 18 points, 14 assists and 10 rebounds as the Toronto Raptors won consecutive games for the first time in eight months with a 103-96 victory over the Houston Rockets.
Alan Anderson had 24 points and DeMar DeRozan added 19 for the Raptors (6-19), who hadn't won consecutive games since April 13 and 15 of last season.
James Harden scored 28 points for the Rockets and Marcus Morris added 19.
At Portland, Oregon, rookie Damian Lillard hit a 3-pointer with 0.3 seconds left as the Trail Blazers beat New Orleans 95-94 for the Hornets' its sixth straight loss.
J.J. Hickson had a season-high 24 points and added 16 rebounds for the Trail Blazers, who have won three straight. Hickson has five straight double-doubles and 13 overall this season.
Ryan Anderson had 26 points, including seven 3-pointers, for New Orleans.
Source: Associated Press
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