Lakers 96, Sixers 85
Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal showed the upstart Philadelphia 76ers just how far they need to go to contend for a title.
The Sixers found out Tuesday night that talent, as well as distance, separates them from the NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers.
Bryant and O'Neal combined for 63 points as the Lakers beat the emerging Eastern Conference power 96-85.
"You get a chance to see how good your team is when you play against a tougher team," said Allen Iverson, who scored 27 points. Iverson conceded that Bryant, who scored 36 points, won the head-to-head matchup.
KINGS 81, SPURS 75: Chris Webber had 30 points and Sacramento held San Antonio without a field goal in the final eight minutes.
TimDuncan had 23 points and a career-high 23 rebounds for the visiting Spurs, who had their lowest scoring output of the season.
HEAT 100, HAWKS 92: EddieJones scored 16 of his 18 points in the second half as the Heat won their third straight road game.
PACERS 88, NETS 64: JalenRose scored 16 of his 21 points in the first half as Indiana handed New Jersey its eighth straight loss.
CAVALIERS 71, HORNETS 66: AndreMiller scored 20 points as host Cleveland snapped a four-game losing streak.
MAGIC 101, CELTICS 98: TracyMcGrady scored 15 of his 29 points in the fourth quarter as host Orlando won its third straight.
TIMBERWOLVES 100, BULLS 90: KevinGarnett scored 25 points and ChaunceyBillups added 22 for Minnesota against depleted Chicago.
ROCKETS 109, MAVERICKS 102: SteveFrancis scored a career-high 36 points as the Rockets beat Dallas, which got a career-high 35 points and 12 rebounds from DirkNowitzki. HowardEisley added 24 points and MichaelFinley had 22.
GRIZZLIES 91 PISTONS 83: Backup center Bryant Reeves grabbed two rebounds and sank four crucial free throws in the fourth quarter and finished with 10 points and six rebounds for Vancouver.