Denver — Denver’s Ty Lawson returned from a sprained right foot to score 24 points and lead the Nuggets to a 117-104 win over Miami on Friday, handing the Heat their third straight NBA loss.
Lawson, who was held out of Wednesday’s game against New Jersey, also had nine assists. Nene added 17 points for Denver.
LeBron James had 35 points for the Heat, who have lost their past 10 games in Denver.
Dwyane Wade scored 12 points for Miami before landing awkwardly on his right ankle after trying to block a shot with 7:24 remaining. He was benched immediately and did not return.
Bulls 88,
Celtics 79
In Boston, Derrick Rose returned from injury to score 25 points and help Chicagos hold off a second-half Boston charge.
The Celtics had trimmed a 52-33 halftime deficit to 67-66 with 10 minutes left in the game. Then Boston missed its next two shots, while Rose scored four straight points. Kevin Garnett responded with a short jumper, but Rose came through again with a 3-pointer for a decisive 74-68 lead with 7:30 remaining.
Rose, who missed Wednesday’s win over Washington with a sprained toe, scored 12 points after Boston had cut the lead to one.
Lakers 97, Cavs 92
In Los Angeles, Kobe Bryant scored 42 points in his third straight 40-point performance as Los Angeles blew a big early lead before hanging on for their fifth straight victory, edging Cleveland.
Pau Gasol had 19 points and 10 rebounds for the Lakers, who won their eighth consecutive game at Staples Center since Christmas. Until Bryant took charge, Los Angeles allowed a 19-point lead to dwindle to three in the final minutes of coach Mike Brown’s first meeting with the Cavaliers since they fired him in 2010.
Bryant managed just seven points in the fourth quarter but hit two big late jumpers, giving him three straight 40-point games for the first time since 2006-07, when he had five straight. He is third in NBA history with 110 40-point games, trailing only Wilt Chamberlain and Michael Jordan.
Spurs 99, blazers 83
In San Antonio, Tony Parker scored 20 points to help San Antonio beat Portland and stay unbeaten at home.
Parker shook off a slow start as the Spurs improved to 8-0 at home, their best start since the 2007-08 season when they started 13-0.
Tiago Splitter scored 14 points for the Spurs.
Pacers 95, Raptors 90
In Toronto, Tyler Hansbrough made two key free throws with less than 15 seconds to play as Indiana overcame the ejection of leading scorer Danny Granger to beat Toronto.
George Hill scored a season-high 22 points for the Pacers, who have made a promising start to the young season.
DeMar DeRozan had 23 points for the Raptors, who have lost three straight.
Mavs 102, Bucks 76
In Dallas, Dirk Nowitzki supassed 23,000 career points as Dallas cruised past Milwaukee to its fourth straight win.
Vince Carter had his highest-scoring game in Dallas, picking up 11 of his 16 points in the opening 6-1/2 minutes of the game. OTHER RESULTS: 76ers 120, Wizards 89; Rockets 103, Kings 89; Timbewolves 87, Hornets 80; Nets 110, Suns 103; Pistons 98, Bobcats 81. /ap