Tired Lakers rip crippled Pistons

AUBURN HILLS, Michigan – Kobe Bryant scored 28 points and helped the Los Angeles Lakers build a big lead in a 93-81 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Sunday night.

The Lakers took the lead with an 11-0 run midway through the first quarter, started the second ahead by 12, had an 18-point lead at halftime and a 21-point cushion after three quarters.

Los Angeles closed a trip with a four-game winning streak and an NBA-best 22-win, 4-loss record.

Rodney Stuckey scored 16 points, Swedish rookie Jonas Jerebko had 15 and rookie reserve Austin Daye added 10 points for the Pistons.

Three of Detroit’s best players were out of action: Richard Hamilton, Ben Gordon and Tayshaun Prince.

The Lakers, though, didn’t have much sympathy because travel woes led to them getting to their Detroit-area hotel at 4 a.m. Sunday after beating the New Jersey Nets on Saturday night.

At Boston, Paul Pierce scored 29 points and hit all six of his 3-point attempts as Boston finished with a season high in points, beating the Timberwolves, 122-104.

Kendrick Perkins had 14 points to go with 11 rebounds, and Rajon Rondo had 13 points and 15 assists as the Celtics beat the Timberwolves for the sixth consecutive time since acquiring Kevin Garnett in an unprecedented 7-for-1 deal during the summer of 2007.

Jonny Flynn scored 21 points for Minnesota.

At Dallas, Tim Thomas took injured Dirk Nowitzki’s spot in the starting lineup and scored 22 points, helping the Mavericks beat the Cleveland Cavaliers, 102-95, to spoil LeBron James’ 500th career game.

The Cavs had won five straight and their previous four against the Mavericks, but they trailed the entire second half.

James had 25 points, six assists and three rebounds, but didn’t get enough help. Mo Williams scored only eight points and Shaquille O’Neal was just 1 of 7 for five points.

At New York, Wilson Chandler scored 26 points, Danilo Gallinari added 21 and a huge blocked shot in the closing seconds as the hosts held on for a close win over the Charlotte Bobcats, 98-94.

David Lee finished with 15 points and 15 rebounds for the Knicks.

At Memphis, Zach Randolph had 32 points and a career-high 24 boards, the highest rebound total in the league this season as the Grizzlies subdued the Denver Nuggets, 102-96. (AP)