Thursday, Feb. 25, 2010

Trading places: Celtics guard Nate Robinson and Knicks guarder Eddie House compete on Tuesday in Boston. AP PHOTO

LOS ANGELES (AP) Hitting a game-winning shot never gets old for Kobe Bryant.

"Every time it feels like the first time," he said.

Bryant returned to lineup after missing five games with an ankle injury and made a 3-pointer with 4.3 seconds left to lift the Los Angeles Lakers to a 99-98 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies Tuesday night.

Bryant led the Lakers with 32 points, including his team's final nine points. His 3-pointer with 54 seconds left tied the game at 96-all. His game-winner came off an inbounds play 4 seconds after his layup attempt was blocked by Rudy Gay.

"He kept making plays at the end of the game," Memphis coach Lionel Hollins said of Bryant. "Great players make great plays. You've got to give him his due (but) it hurts."

Bryant's late scoring spree came after the Lakers had missed five straight free throws and trailed, 95-90, with 2:59 left. He began his nine-point run with a jumper from the left wing with 2:23 to go to trim the Memphis lead to 95-92.

After Gay's free throw, Bryant dropped in a technical free throw to make it 96-93. Gay scored again with 40 seconds left to up the Grizzlies lead to 98-93 before Bryant's back-to-back 3-pointers won it for the Lakers.

Cavaliers 105, Hornets 95

In Cleveland, LeBron James had 20 points and 12 assists, and Antawn Jamison scored 18 points in his first start for the Cavaliers.

Suns 104, Thunder 102

In Oklahoma City, Jason Richardson scored from the foul line with 0.7 seconds left to complete a Phoenix rally that snapped the Thunders nine-game winning streak.

Celtics 110, Knicks 106

In Boston, Rajon Rondo scored 15 points and had 16 assists to lead Boston over New York in a matchup of teams that traded with each other last week.

Timberwolves 91, Heat 88

In Miami, Kevin Love had 17 points and 12 rebounds as Minnesota took advantage of Dwyane Wade's absence for a rare road victory over the Heat.

Trail Blazers 102, Nets 93

In East Rutherford, N.J., Brandon Roy scored 10 of his 28 points in the fourth quarter as Portland avoided blowing a big lead for a second straight game.

76ers 110, Warriors 102

In Oakland, Lou Williams scored 26 points, including a clinching 3-pointer with 14.5 seconds left.

Pistons 101, Kings 89

In Sacramento, Richard Hamilton scored 30 points and Detroit pulled away.

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