“It was nice to be in somewhat of a pressure-cooker,’’ said Bryant, who was just 3 of 17 from the field, finishing with 14 points and 12 assists. “It’s been two years now where we’ve beaten them in the postseason, so I’m sure they’re fed up. They played with a lot of energy and intensity, and we had to step up against them. It was a playoff type of intensity.’’
Bryant was 1 for 9 during the first three quarters - the only field goal coming on a layup with 5:37 left in the opening period.
Spurs 113, Suns 110 - Richard Jefferson scored 20 points in his best game since losing his starting job, and host San Antonio ended Phoenix’s five-game winning streak.
Amar’e Stoudemire had a season-high 41 points for the Suns, but the Spurs hung on late to hand Phoenix only its second loss since the All-Star break.
Jason Richardson could’ve tied it with about 40 seconds left, but blew an uncontested dunk on a fast break. With no one in front of him, Richardson’s one-handed slam ricocheted off the rim, while his teammates watched in disbelief.
Hawks 106, Bucks 102 - Joe Johnson scored 9 of his 24 points in overtime, Josh Smith had 22 points and 15 rebounds, and host Atlanta ended Milwaukee’s six-game winning streak.
The Bucks lost for the first time since trading for John Salmons, who finished with a season-high 32 points, including a straightaway 3-pointer that cut it to 103-102 with 9.7 seconds left in the extra period.
Magic 96, Heat 80 - Rashard Lewis had 22 points, and Vince Carter added 17 to help host Orlando overcome Dwight Howard’s sub-par game and beat Miami for the first time this season.
Howard, who had had 20 straight double doubles, was in foul trouble and finished with 7 points and five rebounds in 24 minutes. Dwyane Wade, who returned to the Heat lineup after missing four games because of a strained calf, scored 21 points.
Wizards 89, Nets 85 - Andray Blatche scored a career-high 36 points and Randy Foye hit two jumpers in the final 44 seconds to help Washington rally from a 14-point first-half deficit and deny host New Jersey its first winning streak of the season.
Mavericks 108, Hornets 100 - Dirk Nowitzki scored 36 points, Caron Butler had 19 in his return to the lineup and host Dallas extended its NBA-high winning streak to seven by holding off New Orleans. Thunder 119, Raptors 99 - Kevin Durant scored 29 points, Nenad Krstic added 16 points, and host Oklahoma City sent Toronto to its third straight loss without All-Star forward Chris Bosh.
Kings 97, Clippers 92 - Tyreke Evans scored 22 points as host Sacramento defeated Los Angeles to win its second straight.
