Kobe Bryant led the Lakers to victory over the Mavericks with 38 points. Dirk Nowitzki’s 30 points kept the game close, but L.A. remained cool during the final stretch.
Lakers defeat Mavs, Heat come back to beat Cavs
Ronald MartinezWhere did New York’s defense go?
USA TODAY SportsBulls’ Gibson sprains left knee in loss to Thunder
USA TODAY SportsGibson injured the knee when he came down awkwardly early in the fourth quarter. The Bulls’ big man immediately exited the game and was looked at by trainers before being ruled out for the rest of the night. The severity of the injury is currently unknown.
Gibson, like the rest of the team, was in the middle of a rough shooting performance prior to going down. He went just 2-of-11 from the field, and the Bulls as a whole shot just 29.1 percent from the field, a season-low for any team in the NBA this year.
Read Article >Thunder blow out listless Bulls
USA TODAY SportsBlazers end losing streak on Lillard’s late bucket
USA TODAY Sports ImagesThe Blazers jumped out to a strong start, grabbing a 27-22 lead after the first quarter and taking a 49-42 lead into the break. The Celtics quickly surged ahead at the start of the third quarter, but Portland was able to right the ship, grabbing an eight-point lead midway through the fourth before coming up big late to avoid an eighth straight loss.
• Mark Cuban is worried about the future
Read Article >Russ Westbrook dunks with anger and fury
USA TODAY Sports(video via @cjzero)
Read Article >Allen’s late free throws push Grizz past Nets
Brad Penner-USA TODAY SportsTyson Chandler and Spencer Hawes aren’t friends
Hilarious ref dancing and bouncing
Dwyane Wade loves the ballet
Kobe scores 38 as Lakers top Mavericks
Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY SportsRobert Sacre: Bench GOAT
Bill Simmons can’t dance
Two weeks ago, we brought you Jalen Rose and Magic Johnson dancing. This week, it’s Bill Simmons’ turn, and, uh, he wasn’t as good.
I am pretty sure this is the most any white man from Boston has ever danced on TV.
Read Article >Kobe channels Gregg Popovich
Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY SportsThis wasn’t Lisa Salters’ fault of course, but here’s a tip: If a guy is giving you an already curt interview, try not to ask him a yes or no question. He will answer “yes” or “no.”
• The best (and worst) NBA rumors of 2013:
Read Article >Nets host Grizzlies without Joe Johnson
USA TODAY SportsMemphis will employ a deliberate offense to go with the second-best defense in the NBA that gives up 100.2 points per 100 possessions, according to Basketball-Reference.com. At the same time, the Grizzlies might be a tad vulnerable seeing as they only defeated the lowly Orlando Magic on Friday in an ugly 88-82 barnburner.
Arguably, Gasol was as deserving to make the NBA All-Star game as Randolph. While Gasol didn’t get the nod and Randolph did, it’s no secret that he is of equal importance in the Grizzlies’ offense.
Read Article >Lakers, Mavericks headline Sunday’s action
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