Blazers torch Lakers anew; Cavs fall back

PORTLAND, Oregon – The Portland Trail Blazers extended their extraordinary home winning run against the LA Lakers by beating the defending champions for the ninth straight time, 107-98, in Friday’s NBA action.

Brandon Roy scored 32 points for the Blazers, who have the longest home winning streak against the defending champions.

Kobe Bryant had 32 points and eight rebounds for the Lakers, who trailed by as many as 20 points in the fourth quarter but cut the margin to single digits in the final minutes.

The victory is the latest display of Portland’s resilience despite a rash of injuries. The team has lost both of its big men – Greg Oden and Joel Przybilla – to knee injuries for the rest of the season.

In Denver, the hosts overcame the absence of leading scorer Carmelo Anthony to pip Cleveland, 99-97, and remain a game clear atop the Northwest Division.

Kenyon Martin scored 19 points and grabbed 12 boards, playing tough defense on LeBron James in the closing stages. Chauncey Billups added 23 for Denver.

James, who sank a 3-pointer with 1.2 seconds left to pull Cleveland to 98-97, finished with 35 points.

In Atlanta, the home team moved within half a game of the NBA Southeast Division lead by notching a 95-85 win, its second this season against Boston this season.

Jamal Crawford scored 18 points, including two crucial 3-pointers in the fourth quarter. He converted a four-point play after being knocked into the seats on a 3-point shot. Then he swished an even longer shot from behind the arc that sealed it with 52 seconds left.

Paul Pierce scored 21 to lead the Celtics.

In San Antonio, Dallas came from 10 points down at the last break to defeat San Antonio, 112-103.

Dirk Nowitzki scored 26 points, including 16 in the fourth quarter, while Jason Terry had 21 points for the Mavericks.

Tim Duncan had 31 points and 12 rebounds for the Spurs.

In Phoenix, Jermaine O’Neal scored four points in the final 30 seconds, two on a pair of clutch free throws, to help Miami stave off Phoenix, 109-105.

Dwyane Wade had 33 points, nine rebounds and eight assists for Miami.

Amare Stoudemire had 18 points and 18 rebounds for the Suns.

In Memphis, Tennessee, O.J. Mayo hit a 21-foot jump shot with 5.2 seconds left to lift Memphis over Utah, 91-89.

Utah’s last shot was then blocked, snapping the Jazz’s 11-game winning streak over the Grizzlies.

Zach Randolph had 29 points and 15 rebounds to lead Memphis, while Rudy Gay finished with 22 points.

Mehmet Okur scored 16 points for the Jazz.

In Washington, the last-placed and distracted Washington Wizards overcame a 10-point, fourth-quarter deficit to beat Orlando, 104-97.

The Wizards, playing their first game since the suspension of Gilbert Arenas for gun offenses, earned ovations during the final period for their perseverance after a difficult week.

Antawn Jamison, who apologized to fans before the game, had 28 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Wizards.

Dwight Howard had 23 points and 11 rebounds for the struggling Magic, who have lost four straight and seen their Southeast Division lead over Atlanta sliced to the minimum.

In Milwaukee, Andrew Bogut had 27 points and 13 rebounds to rally Milwaukee to its third straight win, beating Chicago, 96-93.

Michael Redd, who finished with 24 points, scored 14 and Bogut added eight all in the final 7:09 as Milwaukee improved to 11-1 when Bogut scores at least 17 points.

Derrick Rose led Chicago with 25 points but the Bulls dropped their third straight.

In Philadelphia, Chris Bosh made the go-ahead three-point play with 8.4 seconds left, as Toronto edged Philadelphia, 108-106.

Bosh had 29 points and nine rebounds to lead Toronto, while Andrea Bargnani scored 23 points to help the Raptors rally from a 13-point hole and win their third straight.

Philadelphia’s Andre Iguodala fell just shy of a triple-double with 17 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists.

In Oakland, California, Golden State came back from an 18-point deficit in the second half to overrun Sacramento, 108-101.

Monta Ellis had 39 points and six assists and Anthony Morrow made a critical 3-pointer in the final minute for the Warriors.

Tyreke Evans had 25 points and six assists. (AP)