LA survives dismal offensive game
Los Angeles — Derek Fisher hit a tiebreaking 3-pointer with 3.1 seconds to play as the Los Angeles Lakers survived a dismal offensive game by both teams for a 73-70 victory over the Mavericks yesterday.
Vince Carter missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer for the defending champion Mavericks, who swept Los Angeles out of the second round of the postseason last spring, ending the Lakers’ bid for a three-peat.
Kobe Bryant, whose streak of four straight 40-point games ended with just 14 against the Mavs, drew the Dallas defense before passing to Fisher. The veteran point guard calmly drilled a long 3-pointer from the wing.
Andrew Bynum had 17 points and 15 rebounds for the Lakers, who have won nine straight at home.
Dirk Nowitzki scored 21 for the Mavericks, but committed a crucial traveling violation with 38 seconds left in their first loss since Jan. 5. Lamar Odom scored 10 points in his return to Staples Center, where he won two championships.
76ers 94, Bucks 82
At Philadelphia, Jrue Holiday scored 24 points and Andre Iguodala had 21 to help the Philadelphia 76ers beat the Milwaukee Bucks 94-82 and remain unbeaten at home.
Andrew Bogut returned from concussion-like symptoms to lead the Bucks with 20 points and 11 rebounds.
Thunder 97,
Celtics 88
At Boston, Russell Westbrook scored 26 points, hitting a pair of 3-pointers in the final 91 seconds to help Oklahoma City pull away from slumping Boston.
Kevin Durant scored 28 with seven rebounds for the Thunder, who won their seventh consecutive game. Thabo Sefolosha scored 12 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter, and Kendrick Perkins had seven points and five rebounds in his first game back in Boston since the trade that sent him to Oklahoma City and broke up the starting lineup from the Celtics’ 2008 NBA championship team.
Paul Pierce scored 24 points and Kevin Garnett had 12 points and 12 rebounds for the Celtics. Rajon Rondo added 12 points, nine rebounds and nine assists for Boston.
OTHER RESULTS: Magic 102, Knicks 93; Clippers 101, Nets 91; Grizzlies 102, Bulls 86; Rockets 114, Wizards 106; Cavs 102, Bobcats 94; Trailblazers 84, Hornets 77; Hawks 93, Raptors 84; Timberwolves 99, Kings 86. /ap
