The Denver Nuggets showed they cannot be counted out of NBA title race just yet, ending a nine-game losing skid in style with a 90-79 win over the league-leading Los Angeles Lakers. J.R. Smith scored 22 points in an impressive defensive performance by the Nuggets, who had seen their Northwest Division lead sliced to 2-1/2 games. The Lakers had their second-worst shooting night since the franchise moved to Los Angeles - 29.8 percent. They were on pace for their worst ever until a layup with 5 seconds left saw them rise above the low-water mark of 29.4 percent set in 2004. Kobe Bryant scored 29 points but he needed 31 shots to do it, sinking just 10 of them. Wizards 113, Bulls 90: In Washington, the presence of US President Barack Obama courtside inspired last-placed Washington to a thrashing of Obama's favorite team Chicago. For the first time all season, the Wizards had eight double-figure scorers, with Antawn Jamison leading the way with 27 points and 11 rebounds. “We wanted to perform well in front of the president,” Jamison said. “The most important thing was getting the win. The energy in the building brought back good memories for us. It was important to come out and play well, get a win, and give a good showing in front of the president. It's a pretty cool feeling.” Obama left with more than four minutes remaining, shortly before Washington extended its lead to 20 points at 106-86. Cavaliers 97, Spurs 86: In San Antonio, LeBron James had 30 points and 14 rebounds, helping Cleveland beat San Antonio and bounce back from a miserable game against Houston. James was 12-of-23 from the floor in only 32 minutes of playing time. He also had four assists after being shutout in that category against the Rockets on Thursday for the first time in his career. The Cavaliers also lost Ben Wallace to a broken leg against Houston. Tim Duncan missed a third straight game for San Antonio with a leg injury but is expected back on Sunday. Celtics 104, Pacers 99: In Boston, new signing Stephon Marbury scored six points in the tight fourth quarter to help Boston edge Indiana. Pistons 93, Magic 85: In Orlando, Florida, Detroit snapped its eight-game losing streak with an upset win at Orlando. Hornets 95, Bucks 94: In New Orleans, Tyson Chandler tipped in a missed shot with 3.3 seconds left to give New Orleans a closer-than-it-should-have-been win over Milwaukee. In other matches it was: Hawks 91, Heat 83; Suns 133, Raptors 103; Trail Blazers 102, Timberwolves 82; 76ers 108, Knicks 103; Mavericks 110, Thunder 108, OT; Bobcats 112, Warriors 109; Kings 98, Clippers 86.
