NBA: Lakers bag first win
Kobe Bryant starred, scoring 26 points, as the LA Lakers won their first game of the new NBA season on Tuesday.
The Lakers avoided losing their first three games of the new season thanks to Bryant’s efforts which brought a 96-71 victory over the Utah Jazz.
The win was also Mike Brown’s first in charge.
Miami made it two wins out of two as they hung on to see off Boston 115-107.
The Heat, for whom LeBron James netted 26 points, nearly blew a 20-point lead as Ray Allen (28 points) led a Celtics charge, but had enough to see the game through.
The New Jersey Nets were heckled by their own supporters as they were thrashed 106-70 reverse by the Atlanta Hawks.
Marvin Williams had 14 points and nine rebounds for the victors.
Rookie Jon Leuer landed a three-pointer with a minute and 17 on the clock as the Milwaukee Bucks got the better of the Minnesota Timberwolves 98-95.
Gerald Wallace starred for the Portland Trail Blazers as they hammered Sacramento 101-79.
Wallace picked up 25 points, eight rebounds and five assists in a stellar show.
