Stars glitter in NBA action

NEW YORK: Kobe Bryant didn’t have a huge game, at least not by his recent standards. Neither did Tracy McGrady. So what? Both won.

As did Michael Jordan, Tim Duncan and Chris Webber. Some of the NBA’s biggest stars were the deciding factors in victories on Tuesday night.

Shadowed closely by Corey Maggette and often double-teamed, Bryant managed 32 points as the Los Angeles Lakers beat their local rivals, the Clippers, 109-98 for their 12th win in 14 matches. Although Bryant didn’t extend his streak of scoring at least 40 points to 10 matches — which would have tied Wilt Chamberlain for the second-longest streak in NBA history — he seemed relieved.

“It started to take the focus away from how well we’re playing as a team,” said Bryant, who had scored at least 35 points in 13 consecutive matches. “It’s important to put the emphasis on how we’re playing as a team.

“That means the streak is a streak. It’s not going to win us any championships.”

McGrady led Orlando to a 98-93 win over Dallas with 26 points and seven assists, but struggled against the Mavericks’ tight defence.
He even drew an uncharacteristic technical foul in the first half after throwing an elbow at Eduardo Najera.

“This was a night where they did a good job of double-teaming and making me give it up,” said McGrady, who averaged 40.7 points over the previous three matches.

Jordan went for 25 points in an 83-78 Washington win at Indiana. Duncan scored 17 points and pulled down 10 rebounds in San Antonio’s 84-69 victory against Miami. And Webber hit his final three shots in boosting Sacramento past Detroit 81-75.

In other NBA matches, it was Cleveland 93, New Jersey 90; New York 102, Houston 95; and Portland 89, Atlanta 86.

(AP)