PHOENIX — The Los Angeles Lakers ground out a 130-124 victory
over Phoenix on Wednesday, Kobe Bryant leading the visitors with 41 points to
ensure former teammate Shaquille O’Neal’s first game for the Suns ended in
defeat.
Pau Gasol added 29 points and Lamar Odom scored 22 for the
Lakers, who moved into a tie for first place with Phoenix in the Pacific
Division following their sixth straight victory.
O’Neal played for the Lakers from 1996-2004 and teamed up
with Bryant to win three NBA championships. He was acquired by the Suns in a
deal from the Miami Heat last week, where he won a fourth championship two
seasons ago. He scored 15 points and grabbed nine rebounds in 29 minutes in his
first game in a month as he continues to battle back from injury.
"I’m in better shape than I thought I was," O’Neal said
The Lakers controlled the game most of the night, leading
65-57 at the half, but the Suns battled back to tie the game in the third
quarter and got to within a point on two other occasions before Los Angeles
finally pulled ahead for good.
Bryant said he enjoyed competing against his former teammate.
"It felt like a playoff-type environment," Bryant said. "It
was fun to be a part of."
Amare Stoudemire had 37 points and 15 rebounds for the Suns
while Steve Nash had 26 points and eight assists and Leandro Barbosa added 17
points.
The New Orleans Hornets eased to a 104-93 victory over the
Dallas Mavericks in another game involving a big-name debut, Chris Paul helping
the hosts spoil Jason Kidd’s return to his first team with 31 points, 11 assists
and nine steals.
Acquired from the New Jersey Nets this week, Kidd struggled
to gel with his new teammates, picking up eight points, six rebounds and five
assists in a loss that saw Dallas fall three games behind Southeast Division
leader New Orleans.
The All-Star guard also committed six turnovers in his first
game for Dallas since he left the team 11 years ago, three seasons after he was
selected by the Mavericks in the 1994 draft.
With chants of "MVP!" echoing thro-ugh the crowd, Paul
upstaged Kidd with an electrifying performance on offense and defense to help
the Hornets reel off their fifth straight win.
Paul was 11-of-20 from the floor and made all seven of his
free throws, with his nine steals a career-high.
LeBron James posted his second consecutive triple-double as
the Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Indiana Pacers 106-97.
James had 31 points, 14 rebounds and 12 assists for his sixth
triple-double of the season and 16th of his career.
The Philadelphia 76ers won their sixth straight game at home
as they pounded the New York Knicks 124-84. Willie Green led the Sixers with 21
points.
The Milwaukee Bucks snapped a four-game losing streak by
downing the Detroit Pistons 103-98.
Michael Redd scored 27 points to help hand the Pistons their second straight
loss after their 11-game winning streak.
