Lakers triumph as native Suns lose cool

Source: (The Philippine Star) from Associated Press

PHOENIX – Phoenix coach Alvin Gentry was ejected and had to be restrained by his assistants as the Suns were beaten, 102-96, by the Los Angeles Lakers in Friday’s NBA action.

Gentry was ejected by referee Mike Callahan after arguing that Pau Gasol should have been called for a flagrant foul on Lou Amundson’s drive to the basket with 5:06 to play.

Kobe Bryant had 20 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists – along with seven turnovers – for Los Angeles while Andrew Bynum added 18.

Amare Stoudemire had 29 points and 16 rebounds for the Suns, playing for the first time in six days.

In Milwaukee, the hosts knocked off yet another NBA championship contender, beating Utah, 95-87.

John Salmons had 24 points and Brandon Jennings added 23 for the Bucks, who have won 11 of their past 12 – including victories over Cleveland and Boston in the past week.

Carlos Boozer had 26 points and 14 rebounds for Utah, but was ejected after a pair of technical fouls for arguing a no-call on what he thought was a foul with 13 seconds left.

In New Orleans, Denver won its fifth straight, overcoming New Orleans, 102-95.

Carmelo Anthony had 32 points and 12 rebounds and Chauncey Billups scored 21 points for Denver, which finished with a flourish to break open a game that was tied with 6:05 to go.

David West scored 30 points for New Orleans.

In Philadelphia, LeBron James had 23 points, 10 assists and six rebounds in his return as Cleveland downed Philadelphia, 100-76.

James was in the starting lineup after missing the previous two with an injured right ankle, and the league’s leading scorer had his 26th double-double.

Mo Williams added 21 points for the Cavaliers (51-15), who have the league’s best record.

Andre Iguodala led the Sixers with 30 points.

In Miami, the hosts added to the woes of injury-stricken Chicago in a 108-95 victory.

Jermaine O’Neal scored a season-high 25 points and Quentin Richardson added 23 for Miami, which extended its season-best home winning streak to five games and passed Toronto for the No. 7 spot in the Eastern Conference.

James Johnson and Jannero Pargo each scored 20 for Chicago, which lost its seventh straight and played without its injured top three scorers: Derrick Rose, Luol Deng and Joakim Noah.

In Boston, Paul Pierce scored 20 points to lead Boston over Indiana, 122-103.

Rajon Rondo had 16 points and 11 assists while reserves Nate Robinson and Glen Davis scored 15 points for Boston.

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