Lakers nip Thunder in 2 OTs; Heat soar

LOS ANGELES — Kobe Bryant scored six of his 26 points in the second overtime as the Los Angeles Lakers rallied from an 18-point deficit in the second half for a 114-106 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday.

Metta World Peace scored 12 points before getting ejected late in the second quarter for a vicious elbow to the back of James Harden’s head while celebrating a dunk. Harden, who had 14 points, briefly returned to Oklahoma City’s bench, but didn’t play again.

KNICKS 113, HAWKS 112

At Atlanta, Carmelo Anthony scored 39 points as New York outlasted Atlanta in a game between two playoff-bound teams still battling for postseason seeding.

The Hawks took their final lead at 112-111 on Joe Johnson’s 3-pointer with 1:50 left. Anthony countered with a jumper 10 seconds later for the final margin.

CLIPPERS 107, HORNETS 98

At Los Angeles, Chris Paul had 33 points and 13 assists, and Randy Foye hit three of his six 3-pointers in the fourth quarter as the Los Angeles Clippers rallied for a victory over New Orleans to move within a half-game of the Lakers for the Pacific Division lead and the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference.

Foye scored 24 points, and Blake Griffin had 21 points and 15 rebounds in the Clippers’ 40th victory — their most since the 2006-07 team won that many.

HEAT 97, ROCKETS 88

At Miami, LeBron James had 32 points and eight rebounds, and Norris Cole added 16 points as Miami pulled away in the final minutes to eliminate Houston from postseason contention.

Mike Miller scored 11 for injury-depleted Miami, which still has a mathematical chance of catching Chicago for the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs.