Lakers close the gap on Spurs

Kobe Bryant scores 26 points as the Los Angeles Lakers secured their seventh straight win by defeating the Western Conference-leading San Antonio Spurs 99-83.

Kobe Bryant scored 26 points as the Los Angeles Lakers secured their seventh straight win by defeating the Western Conference-leading San Antonio Spurs 99-83.

Pau Gasol also had 21 points as the Lakers closed to within six games of the Spurs, for whom Tony Parker top-scored with 14 points.

Derrick Rose scored 27 points and Luol Deng's 18 points included two game-clinching free throws as the Chicago Bulls beat the Miami Heat 87-86.

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Chris Paul suffered a concussion in the New Orleans Hornets' 96-81 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Paul, a four-time All-Star, was injured in a collision with Ramon Sessions and was attended to by personnel from both teams before leaving on a stretcher.

Paul Pierce scored 23 points as the Eastern Conference-leading Boston Celtic maintained their three-game lead with an 89-83 win over the Milwaukee Bucks.

Zach Randolph scored 27 points - including the game-clinching basket with less than one second remaining - to guide the Memphis Grizzlies to a 104-103 win over the Dallas Mavericks.

Amare Stoudemire scored 26 points as the New York Knicks beat the Atlanta Hawks 92-79, and Russell Westbrook had 32 points and 11 assists as the Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Phoenix Suns 122-118 after overtime.

The Philadelphia 76ers also needed overtime to see off the Golden State Warriors 125-117. Andre Iguodala sealed back-to-back triple-doubles with 15 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists to pace Philadelphia to victory.

Tayshaun Prince scored 20 points to help the Detroit Pistons to a 113-102 win over the Washington Wizards.

Updated: March 07, 2011, 12:00 AM