NBA Scores And More: Lakers Take Battle Of L.A., Pacers Edge Wounded Bulls, Warriors Handle Blazers

Portland tightened up their defense and cut what had been a double-digit lead to as little as three in the fourth quarter. Lee, Ellis and Curry each connected on some big momentum-busting buckets, though, and the Blazers either turned over or rimmed out their chances to even the score. The final minute or two got a tad sloppy, with the two teams basically handing the ball back and forth with turnovers (Golden State even committed a five-second violation), but the Warriors hit the free throws necessary to keep Portland at arm’s length as time expired, winning 101-93.

Check out Golden State of Mind for more on the Warriors and visit Blazer’s Edge for your Portland coverage.

The Heat are now 13-5. The Pistons fall to 4-15.

In other action:

The Hawks fell to 13-6 with the loss and have not won on the road in San Antonio since Tim Duncan entered the league in 1997. Their five-game road trip rolls on as they try to rebound against the Detroit Pistons on Friday night. Meanwhile, the Spurs improved to a league-best 10-1 at home and 12-7 overall. San Antonio will be looking to secure a three-game winning streak when they open against the Minnesota Timberwolves on their three-game road trip.

For more on the Hawks go visit Peach Tree Hoops and for all things on the Spurs go check out Pounding The Rock.

So the L.A. series stands tied at one game apiece, with the third and final meeting still two months away. That game will happen on April 4, in the midst of the stretch run to the post-season, and presuming these teams are still battling over the top spot in the Pacific Division, that one figures to be even more intense than the first two.

As a rivalry games should be.