Kobe Bryant poured in a game-high 31 points to spark the Los Angeles Lakers to a 105-96 win over Minnesota Monday, sending the slumping Timberwolves to their sixth loss in seven outings.
Chucky Atkins added 23 points while Chris Mihm notched 14 points and 17 rebounds as the Lakers rallied from a 76-67 third-quarter deficit with a 24-7 run in the fourth to post their fourth victory in six games.
Timberwolves received another superb effort from NBA MVP Kevin Garnett, who had 23 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists. Sam Cassell, however, missed his second consecutive game with a strained hamstring.
In Salt Lake City, Mehmet Okur seized 23 points, including a game-winning shot at the buzzer, as the Utah Jazz broke out of their worst losing streak for more than 20 years with an upset 97-96 triumph over the San Antonio Spurs.
Mired in a nine-game skid, the Jazz were given little chance against the Spurs, a team they had not beaten in 18 meetings stretching back to February 2000.
Winners of 12 of their last 14 games, the Spurs were handed 24 points and 13 rebounds by Tim Duncan but still suffered their eighth loss of the season.
In Boston, the Celtics received double-figure contributions from eight players, led by an 18-point effort by Paul Pierce, to halt a two-game losing skid with a 119-101 victory over the Orlando Magic.
Tony Allen had 16 points while Raef LaFrentz, Ricky Davis and Gary Payton each added 15 points to the cause as the Celtics made sure the Magic stumbled to their seventh straight road defeat.
The Magic, who have allowed a league-high 100 points per game, made a move earlier in the day to bolster their defense by trading third-highest scorer Cuttino Mobley to the Sacramento Kings for guard Doug Christie.
In Philadelphia, Nick Van Exel totaled a season-high 28 points, including a team record eight three-pointers, as the Portland Trail Blazers won for the first time in five games with a 109-100 victory over the 76ers.
Damon Stoudamire added 22 points for Portland and Zach Randolph 18.
After missing one game with assorted injuries, Allen Iverson, the NBA's leading scorer, was back in action with 21 points, nine rebounds and nine assists for the 76ers.
In Chicago, Othella Harrington grabbed 20 points and Kirk Hinrich added 14 points, nine assists and six rebounds to help the Bulls beat the Golden State Warriors 94-85.
After opening the season 0-9, the Bulls have won 10 of their last 13, including four in a row.
The Warriors have gone in the opposite direction, losing six games in succession since top scorer Jason Richardson sprained his ankle.
