NOWITZKI REACHES 20,000 PTS: Low-scoring Kobe saves day for Lakers

DALLAS, Texas – Dallas’ Dirk Nowitzki became the 34th player in NBA history to score 20,000 points on Wednesday, but his effort wasn’t enough to help Mavericks hold off Kobe Bryant’s Los Angeles Lakers.

Germany’s Nowitzki reached the milestone with a 14-foot jumper from the left baseline with 10:57 remaining. The basket gave him 20,001 points, and it pulled Dallas to 78-75.

The 31-year-old Nowitzki was playing in his 876th NBA game.

Drafted for his potential as a seven-footer with the ability to score from outside, he has won the league Most Valuable Player award and taken the Mavericks to the NBA finals.

On Wednesday, however, Bryant and the Lakers had just a little too much for Dallas.

Bryant, who struggled with a sore back in his previous game, drained the go-ahead jump shot with 28 seconds left as the Lakers defeated the Mavericks, 100-95.

Bryant played only nine minutes in the first half and wasn’t a factor. He scored eight points in the third quarter, but made only one of his four shots in the final period. It was, however, one that mattered as he fired over Josh Howard to give the Lakers a 97-95 lead.

Erick Dampier missed a pair of free throws for Dallas that could have tied the game.

Andrew Bynum made one of two free throws for the Lakers, who then double-teamed Nowitzki and forced him to pass, leaving Josh Howard to take a wild shot.

Bynum finished with 22 points and 11 rebounds, Lamar Odom had 18 points and 14 rebounds, and Ron Artest had 16 points and 11 rebounds as the Lakers ended a three-game road losing streak.

 In Oklahoma City, rookie DeJuan Blair set new career highs with 28 points and 21 rebounds as San Antonio edged Oklahoma City in overtime, 109-108.

Richard Jefferson hit the winner. He ended up with the ball after a Spurs’ play went awry, with Manu Ginobili diving out of bounds to save a pass that bounced off of Antonio McDyess. George Hill passed to Jefferson, who beat the shot clock with a 13-foot jumper in the lane with 9 seconds left.

Kevin Durant scored 35 points for the Thunder.

In Atlanta, the hosts responded to a Washington challenge to notch a 94-82 victory, their third straight.

Joe Johnson scored 24 points and Jamal Crawford added 22 for Atlanta, which led by 22 points late in the first half, but saw Washington draw within two points in the fourth quarter.

Despite 25 points from Antawn Jamison, the Wizards lost their third straight as the team tries to play through problems related to Gilbert Arenas’ suspension.

In Indianapolis, the hosts came from 24 points down in the first half to beat Phoenix, 122-114,

Danny Granger scored 33 points and Mike Dunleavy added a season-high 30 for the Pacers, who were down by 23 points against Toronto on Monday before rallying for a victory.

Amare Stoudemire scored 21 points for the Suns.

In New Orleans, Chris Paul had 15 points and 15 assists to lead New Orleans to its seventh win in eight games, downing Los Angeles, 108-94.

Peja Stojakovic, hitting at least four 3-pointers in a game for the ninth time this season, scored 20 points to help New Orleans beat the Clippers a 12th consecutive time.

Baron Davis scored 19 points for Los Angeles.

In East Rutherford, New Jersey, Boston had a predictably easy win over New Jersey, 111-87, in a meeting of the best and worst teams in the Atlantic Division.

Paul Pierce scored 24 points in 28 minutes, while Ray Allen added 15 points for the Celtics, who were untroubled despite playing without All-Star Kevin Garnett (right knee) and reserve Rasheed Wallace (sore left foot).

Boston made 10 of its first 11 shots and barely slowed up from there, building a 36-point lead during its highest-scoring first half of the season (73) and cruising to its 11th straight victory over the Nets.                  (AP)