Wizards thwart late Lakers charge

The Washington Wizards survived a late charge to edge Los Angeles 100-99 Friday, leaving the defending champion Lakers 2-5 for the season.

The Lakers outscored the Wizards 39-26 in the final period, going up by a point with 2.9 seconds remaining.

The Wizards looked to Jerry Stackhouse, who inbounded to Bryon Russell and then took a return pass for a wide-open dunk to finish with a total of 29 points.

Michael Jordan acted as decoy on the final play. He netted 25 points in his 30 minutes of action.

Kobe Bryant had 27 points to pace the Lakers, with Brian Shaw scoring 20.

Rick Fox had 10 points on his Los Angeles return after a six-game suspension following a pre-season scrap. He was just 3-for-11 from the floor, though.

PACERS 107 KNICKS 94

In Indianapolis, the Indiana Pacers grabbed a 13-point first-quarter lead and made it stand up in a 107-94 victory over the New York Knicks, who lost for the fifth time in six outings.

Indiana placed all five starters in double figures, Ron Artest leading the way with 27 points.

Brad Miller added 19 and Jermaine O'Neal notched 18. Jamaal Tinsley was also a presence, getting 14 points and 12 assists.

Kurt Thomas made 15-of-22 shots to finish with a career-high 33 points for the Knicks.

The Pacers extended their winning streak to three games and topped 100 points for the first time this season.

76ers 108 CAVALIERS 84

In Philadelphia, newcomer Keith Van Horn knocked down 28 points to carry the 76ers to a lopsided 108-84 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers, their fourth victory in succession.

Allen Iverson added 17 points but had just four after the half.

Ricky Davis had a big night in a losing cause, counting 31 points. Team mate Zydrunas Ilgauskas added 20 and Cleveland's Tyrone Hill was top rebounder with 13. Magic 105 SuperSonics 98

In Orlando, the Magic and the Seattle SuperSonics, both 4-1 coming in, battled deep into the fourth quarter before the hosts finally prevailed 105-98.

Grant Hill had the hot hand for the Magic, notching 28 points and assisting on nine baskets.

It was an off-night for team mate Tracy McGrady, who racked up 40 points in each of his two previous games. He had just 23 this time.

Gary Payton and Vladimir Radmanovic had 21 and 20 points respectively for the visitors, with Radmanovic grabbing 11 rebounds. Rashard Lewis had 13 points and 10 rebounds.

NETS 106 CLIPPERS 92

In East Rutherford, New Jersey, the Los Angeles Clippers surged ahead with a 30-16 second quarter but it was the Nets all the way after that as the hosts romped home 106-92.

Jason Kidd led all scorers with 35 points, the most he has counted as a Net, 27 coming after the half. He added nine assists and seven rebounds.

Elton Brand and Andre Miller each netted 20 points for Los Angeles, which has lost four of five games. Brand also pulled down 11 rebounds.

MAVERICKS 114 BULLS 87

In Chicago, the Dallas Mavericks remained the NBA's sole unbeaten team with a 114-87 demolition of the Bulls, who suffered their fourth consecutive loss.

Dirk Nowitzki topped Dallas's scorers with 24 points in just three quarters of play. He also pulled down 10 rebounds.

Five other Mavs were in double figures, Eduardo Najera best among them with 15 points.

Jalen Rose had 24 points to lead Chicago.Eddy Curry added 10 more and grabbed 10 rebounds, matching team mate Lonny Baxter.

HORNETS 110 WARRIORS 104

In New Orleans, Jamal Mashburn scored 32 points as the Hornets continued to buzz with a 110-104 victory over the Golden State Warriors.

The Hornets are undefeated in four outings at the New Orleans Arena, their new home.

Four other Hornets were in double figures, PJ Brown getting 17 points and 16 rebounds.

Jason Richardson and Antawn Jamison were the high men for Golden State with 31 and 28 points respectively.

The Warriors have lost five successive games after opening the season with a win over San Antonio.

SUNS 86 TRAIL BLAZERS 75

In Phoenix, neither the Suns nor the injury-plagued Portland Trail Blazers were in the mood for scoring, the hosts emerging with an 86-75 victory.

The teams combined to score just 30 points in the first quarter and 33 in the last.

Stephon Marbury had 21 to lead Phoenix while Bonzi Wells bagged 20 for Portland, which was missing center Arvydas Sabonis and guard Derek Anderson.

JAZZ 110 HAWKS 97

In Salt Lake City, Karl Malone returned to action after sitting out Wednesday's game against Detroit because of a stomach virus and led the Utah Jazz to a 110-97 win over the Atlanta Hawks.

Malone, who has missed only 10 games in his 18-year career, picked up 27 points to pace the Jazz. He also pulled down 11 rebounds and was just three assists shy of a triple-double.

Utah's Matt Harpring added 25 points.

Jason Terry had nearly twice as many points as any of his Atlanta team mates, with 31.

KINGS 99 GRIZZLIES 91

In Sacramento, the Kings took a commanding 35-14 first-quarter lead and went on to complete a 99-91 triumph over the Memphis Grizzlies, who are winless in six games.

Sacramento was coming off a three-game losing streak.

Chris Webber was just two assists shy of a triple-double, with 16 points, 17 rebounds and eight assists.

Predrag Stojakovic had 22 points to lead Sacramento, with Bobby Jackson notching 20.

Drew Gooden bettered all of them, getting 23 for Memphis and also grabbing eight rebounds. Team mate Stromile Swift had 12 points and 10 rebounds.