The Portland Trail Blazers extended their extraordinary home winning run against Los Angles Lakers by beating them there for the ninth straight time, winning 107-98 in Friday's NBA action. Brandon Roy scored 32 points for the Blazers, who have the longest home winning streak against the defending champions. Kobe Bryant had 32 points and eight rebounds for the Lakers, who trailed by as many as 20 points in the fourth quarter but cut the margin to single digits in the final minutes. The victory is the latest display of Portland's resilience despite a rash of injuries. The team has lost both of its big men – Greg Oden and Joel Przybilla – to knee injuries for the rest of the season. Nuggets 99, Cavaliers 97: In Denver, the hosts overcame the absence of leading scorer Carmelo Anthony to pip Cleveland and remain a game clear atop the Northwest Division. Kenyon Martin scored 19 points and grabbed 12 boards, playing tough defense on LeBron James in the closing stages. Chauncey Billups added 23 for Denver. James, who sank a 3-pointer with 1.2 seconds left to pull Cleveland to 98-97, finished with 35 points. Hawks 95, Celtics 85: In Atlanta, the home team moved within half a game of the NBA Southeast Division lead by notching its second win this season against Boston this season. Jamal Crawford scored 18 points, including two crucial 3-pointers in the fourth quarter. He converted a four-point play after being knocked into the seats on a 3-point shot. Then he swished an even longer shot from behind the arc that sealed it with 52 seconds left. Paul Pierce scored 21 to lead the Celtics. Mavericks 112, Spurs 103: In San Antonio, Dallas came from 10 points down at the last break to defeat San Antonio. Dirk Nowitzki scored 26 points, including 16 in the fourth quarter, while Jason Terry had 21 points for the Mavericks. Tim Duncan had 31 points and 12 rebounds for the Spurs. Heat 109, Suns 105: In Phoenix, Jermaine O'Neal scored four points in the final 30 seconds, two on a pair of clutch free throws, to help Miami stave off Phoenix. Dwyane Wade had 33 points, nine rebounds and eight assists for Miami. Grizzlies 91, Jazz 89: In Memphis, Tennessee, O.J. Mayo hit a 21-foot jump shot with 5.2 seconds left to lift Memphis over Utah. Utah's last shot was then blocked, snapping the Jazz's 11-game winning streak over the Grizzlies. Zach Randolph had 29 points and 15 rebounds to lead Memphis, while Rudy Gay finished with 22 points. Mehmet Okur scored 16 points for the Jazz. Wizards 104, Magic 97: In Washington, the last-placed and distracted Washington Wizards overcame a 10-point, fourth-quarter deficit to beat Orlando. Elsewhere it was: Bucks 96, Bulls 93; Raptors 108, 76ers 106; Warriors 108, Kings 101; Hornets 103, Nets 99; Timberwolves 116, Pacers 109.
