Lakers end Jazz run
02/11/2010 09:19:30 AM
Andrew Bogut poured in 22 points as the Milwaukee Bucks beat the New Jersey Nets 97-77 while Pau Gasol also hit 22 along with 19 rebounds as the Los Angeles Lakers claimed a 96-81 win to end the Utah Jazz's nine-game winning streak.
The Lakers triumphed despite the absence of Kobe Bryant, who missed a third straight game with a sore left ankle, and are clear at the top of the Western Conference ahead of the All-Star break.
The Orlando Magic are well placed in the Eastern Conference after a 107-87 defeat of the Chicago Bulls.
Luol Deng's game-high 23 points were in vain as the Magic - led by Dwight Howard's 18 points and 14 rebounds - compounded the Bulls' misery after Derrick Rose limped off with an apparent hip injury in the third minute.
The New Orleans Hornets defeated the Boston Celtics 93-85 despite the absence of Chris Paul, with Darren Collison netting 25 points.
The Atlanta Hawks suffered a 94-76 reverse to the Miami Heat, with Jermaine O'Neal netting 19 points.
The Toronto Raptors beat the Philadelphia 76ers 104-93, with Louis Williams' game-high 26 points in vain.
Stephen Jackson poured in 33 points and Nazr Mohammed pulled down 20 rebounds as the Charlotte Bobcats claimed a 93-92 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Sacramento Kings claimed a 103-97 win over the Detroit Pistons, with Kevin Martin netting a game-high 26 points.
LaMarcus Aldridge scored 22 points as the Portland Trail Blazers defeated the Phoenix Suns 108-101 and the Golden State Warriors inflicted a 132-102 defeat on the Los Angeles Clippers, with Stephen Curry contributing 36 points.