EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - In a game in which Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant didn't do a lot, the Lakers showed why they still might be the team to beat in the playoffs.
O'Neal had 19 points, 14 rebounds, Gary Payton added 16 points and Los Angeles held New Jersey to 51 points in the first three quarters on its way to a 100-83 win Sunday.
The Nets had won 15 of 16, including 14 of 15 since Lawrence Frank replaced Byron Scott as coach of the two-time defending Eastern Conference champions.
This was supposed to be a challenge, especially with Karl Malone still sidelined, but the Lakers never trailed in winning their fifth straight road game. They blew it open in the third quarter, leading by as many as 26.
Richard Jefferson had 19 points to lead New Jersey. It was Frank's second loss in three games after winning his first 13.
All-Star point guard Jason Kidd plans to have an MRI today on a sore left knee that has been bothering him. He spent the final 14-plus minutes on the bench.
CELTICS 91, RAPTORS 82: Paul Pierce scored 12 of his 22 in the fourth quarter as Boston handed host Toronto its season-worst ninth straight loss. Milt Palacio had a season-high 19 points and eight assists for Toronto, which is in danger of falling out of playoff contention because of injuries to Vince Carter, Jalen Rose and Alvin Williams.
BUCKS 108, HEAT 104: Michael Redd scored 27 and Desmond Mason 21 as host Milwaukee won its third straight. Miami rookie Dwyane Wade left the game with a sprained right foot with about four minutes remaining in the third quarter and did not return. The Heat allowed the most points it has all season and lost its third straight.
PISTONS 100, CLIPPERS 88: Chauncey Billups scored 28 and Richard Hamilton had eight of his 21 in the last seven minutes to lead visiting Detroit. The Pistons overcame poor shooting by Rasheed Wallace and the ejection of coach Larry Brown to win their fourth straight. Wallace scored nine of his 15 in the fourth quarter after shooting 1-for-12 in the first three. Ben Wallace got his 30th double double of the season, finishing with 13 points and 13 rebounds.
SONICS 97, ROCKETS 80: Rashard Lewis scored 12 of his 22 in the fourth quarter, and visiting Seattle rallied after squandering an 11-point lead in the fourth quarter to snap a three-game losing streak. Trailing 68-57 at the start of the fourth, the Rockets tied it at 71 with 5:30 remaining. Lewis then put Seattle ahead for good, converting two free throws that resulted from a flagrant foul by Maurice Taylor with 5:14 left.
76ERS 81, WOLVES 74: Rookie forward Kyle Korver made key plays down the stretch, and Eric Snow hit a jumper with 20 seconds left to help short-handed Philadelphia beat visiting Minnesota. Aaron McKie had 18 points to lead the Sixers, who snapped a four-game skid despite playing without injured stars Allen Iverson and Glenn Robinson. Kevin Garnett scored 27 and had 13 rebounds for the Timberwolves.
KINGS 108, SUNS 94: Peja Stojakovic scored 32, and host Sacramento never trailed. The return of Brad Miller had the balanced Kings offense running with its typical efficiency. Sidelined the past seven games with a sprained right foot, Miller had 16 points and 10 rebounds. ... Sacramento's Chris Webber is expected to play Tuesday for the first time this season. Webber, who has been out with a knee injury most of the season, missed the past eight games while on suspension.
NUGGETS 107, KNICKS 96: Carmelo Anthony had 25 points and Voshon Lenard added 16 as host Denver ended a five-game losing streak. Kurt Thomas led New York with 18 points and 11 rebounds. The Knicks have dropped six in a row, matching their longest losing streak of the season.
