Seth Wenig/AP[/caption]Los Angeles Lakers 103, Dallas Mavericks 99
Kobe Bryant and Dirk Nowtizki put up a show as their respective teams tried to get closer to the eighth and final playoff seed in the Western Conference.
Bryant won the duel, scoring 14 of his 38 points in the final quarter. Nowtizki, who had his first double-double of the season, had 30 points and 13 rebounds.
O.J. Mayo missed a three-pointer with about five seconds remaining that would have tied the ballgame, and Bryant secured the game by making a free throw, making it a two-possession game.
After Mark Cuban remarks in recent days about how the Lakers should consider amnestying Bryant next season, Bryant went to Twitter after the game and wrote “Amnesty THAT”. The 15-time All-Star ended up with 38 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists.
Golden State Warriors 100, Minnesota Timberwolves 99
Ricky Rubio's two free throws cut the Warriors lead to one with 30 seconds left. Jarrett Jack, who finished with 23 points and 8 assists, gave the Wolves a chance by missing a jumper with 10 seconds remaining. Luke Ridnour took a desperation runner as time expired and couldn’t make it, though.
After losing seven straight games, the Warriors now have won three straight. The Timberwolves, who had a 14-point lead in the first quarter, is slowly watching their season slip away.
Miami Heat 109, Cleveland Cavaliers 105
The Heat had a 22-point lead in the third quarter after a LeBron James jumper, but the Cavaliers responded with a 36-15 run, including three straight triples by CJ Miles to end the quarter with a one-point lead.
Dwyane Wade scored 11 of his 24 points in the final period, clinching the game with a slam dunk that put the Heat in front by four with 24 seconds left. Miami has now won 11 straight games. Dion Waiters led the Cavs in scoring with 26 points.
New Orleans Hornets 110, Sacramento Kings 95
The Hornets started the final period with a 17-7 run to separate themselves from the Kings with a 13-point lead, giving Sacramento another road loss. They are now 5-25 on the road. Anthony Davis' 20 points and eight boards led the Hornets to their first win since the All-Star break.
Memphis Grizzlies 76, Brooklyn Nets 72
Tony Allen made two free throws to give the Grizzlies the lead. Deron Williams had a chance to tie the game but he committed a turnover as his pass to Mirza Teletovic was picked up by Tayshaun Prince. The Nets fouled Mike Conley and he iced the game with two free throws. Memphis has won seven games in a row.
New York Knicks 99, Philadelphia 76ers 93
New York used a 17-2 run in the 2nd quarter to go from up two to having a 17-point lead. The Sixers played from behind the rest of the way. Amar'e Stoudemire had a season-high 22 points and Carmelo Anthony, who struggled shooting, had 29 points. New York ended their four-game losing streak, while Philadelphia has lost five games in a row.
San Antonio Spurs 97, Phoenix Suns 87
The Spurs, who were without Tony Parker due to sore right triceps, outscored the Suns by 16 in the second period and went to halftime with a 14-point advantage. The Suns trailed the entire second half by double-digits. San Antonio’s Kawhi Leonard and Patty Mills led them in scoring with 16 apiece.
Portland Trail Blazers 92, Boston Celtics 86
Damian Lillard’s three-point play had the Blazers up by three with 91 seconds to go. Paul Pierce missed a three-pointer that would have tied it, then Wesley Matthews nailed a three-pointer that gave the Blazers a six-point lead with a little under a minute to go. The Celtics didn’t score again. This is Portland's first win since they beat Minnesota on Feb. 4.
Oklahoma City Thunder 102, Chicago Bulls 72
The Thunder had little to no trouble beating Chicago, as they outscored the Bulls every quarter, including a 31-18 third quarter for the easy win. Russell Westbrook had 23 points and three assists while Kevin Durant added a near triple-double with 19 points, 16 rebounds and six assists.
