Caron Butler and Chucky Atkins each scored 19 points as the Los Angeles Lakers overcame the absence of Kobe Bryant and coach Rudy Tomjanovich post a 92-79 win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday.
With scoring leader Bryant sidelined with an ankle injury, the Lakers received some unsettling news before the game when it was widely reported that Tomjanovich is considering stepping down due to health issues.
The Lakers confirmed before the tip-off at the Staples Center that Tomjanovich was at home with a stomach virus but had not made a decision about his future.
Earlier, ESPN.com reported Tomjanovich would step down following Tuesday night's game.
"I'm just as surprised as everyone else, just as shocked," Bryant said. "We're all surprised as you guys are.
"Rudy is a great guy. We all love him."
Tomjanovich, who guided the Houston Rockets to a pair of NBA titles before taking over the Lakers job left vacant by Phil Jackson, had just begun rebuilding a team dismantled following last season's loss to the Detroit Pistons in the NBA finals.
In Memphis, the Grizzlies got double figure efforts from seven players, led by 19 points from Jason Williams to cool off the Phoenix Suns 108-97.
Missing all-star forward and leading scorer Pau Gasol, the Grizzlies relied on a balance attack to get the job done, Dahntay Jones contributing a season-high 17 points to the Memphis cause.
In Orlando, Steve Francis had 30 points and 13 assists as the Magic slipped past the Cleveland Cavaliers 105-102, spoiling LeBron James' return from a two game injury layoff.
Back in the Cleveland line-up after sitting out a pair of games with an injured ankle, James scored 28 points, dished out seven assists and grabbed five rebound but it was not enough as the Cavaliers lost for the third time in five games.
In Washington, Chauncey Billups nailed 28 points, including 11 in the fourth quarter, as the NBA champion Detroit Pistons eased past the Wizards 105-96 for their fourth consecutive win.
In East Rutherford, Vince Carter poured in 31 points and Jason Kidd just missed the 62nd triple-double of his career guiding the streaking New Jersey Nets to a 107-97 decision over the Chicago Bulls and a season high fourth straight win.
In Dallas, Jerry Stackhouse sank 24 points and Dirk Nowitzki added 19 as the Mavericks stopped the Miami Heat 109-104.
Dwyane Wade paced the Heat with a solid 29 point performance and Shaquille O'Neal chipped in with 25 points and 13 rebounds as Miami lost for the first time in four games.
In Denver, Kenyon Martin nailed a season-high 27 points as the Nuggets pounded the slumping New York Knicks, to give new coach George Karl a third consecutive win.
In Milwaukee, Michael Redd scored 19 points and Toni Kukoc made the most of his first starting assignment in nearly three seasons adding nine points, six rebounds and five assists, helping the Bucks to a 91-86 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.
In Salt Lake City, Gerald Wallace scored 28 points and Brevin Knight added 21 as the Charlotte Bobcats rallied to beat the Utah Jazz 109-105 and win on the road for just the second time this season.
In Sacramento, Rashard Wallace had 24 points and Ronald Murray had 23 helping Seattle SuperSonics to a 106-101 victory over the Kings.
