SCOREBOARD
Monday, Dec. 24
No games scheduled.
STARS
Sunday
-Kobe Bryant, Lakers, scored 39 points to lead Los Angeles past New York 95-90.
-Linas Kleiza and Carmelo Anthony, Nuggets. Kleiza hit a jumper just before the final buzzer and Anthony had 30 points and 12 rebounds to help Denver squeak by Sacramento 106-105.
-Stephen Jackson and Baron Davis, Warriors. Jackson scored 29 points and Baron Davis added 27 to lead Golden State to a 105-96 victory over Cleveland.
-Paul Pierce, Celtics, had 24 points to help Boston get past Orlando 103-91.
YOUNG GUN
Kobe Bryant scored 39 points, becoming the youngest player in NBA history to reach 20,000, and the Los Angeles Lakers held off New York 95-90 on Sunday. His 3-pointer in the opening minute of the third quarter allowed him to reach the milestone at 29 years, 122 days. Before him, only Wilt Chamberlain (29, 134) and Michael Jordan (29, 326) had gotten there before turning 30. Bryant also added 11 rebounds and eight assists in his first game at Madison Square Garden in nearly two years.
20-20
Boston (22-3) had four players score more than 20 points to get past Orlando 103-91 on Sunday. The Celtics, who have the best record in the NBA, avenged a Nov. 18 loss to the Magic, their first of the season. … Antonio McDyess finished with 12 points and 11 rebounds – his fifth straight game with at least 10 rebounds – to help Detroit (20-7) down Houston 94-82. The Pistons have won five straight and 12 of 14 to join Boston as the only teams with 20 victories.
SNAPPED
Allen Iverson had his streak of four straight 30-point performances end, finishing with 21 points in Denver’s 106-105 win over Sacramento on Sunday. Iverson had scored 30 or more points in six of eight games.
STRONG IN DEFEAT
Jamal Crawford scored 31 points for New York in a 95-90 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. The Knicks, who were again without Stephon Marbury, have lost two straight and eight of 10. … LeBron James, the NBA’s leading scorer, paced Cleveland with 25 points in a 105-96 loss to Golden State. The Cavaliers have lost 10 of 13 to fall to 12-16.
SPEAKING
“We did our normal thing. We asked the Lord’s prayer after a Sunday ballgame. Forgive us our sins and trespasses. We had some trespasses, there’s no doubt about it.” – Lakers coach Phil Jackson, after Los Angeles downed New York 95-90 on Sunday.