Celtics hang on for win over Lakers

Kobe Bryant’s problems have moved back to the basketball court.

Just 30 minutes after settling a lawsuit filed by the woman who accused him of rape, Bryant scored 17 first-quarter points against Boston. But he was scoreless in the fourth – missing a 3-pointer just before the buzzer – as the Celtics beat Los Angeles 104-101 at Boston to extend the Lakers’ losing streak to four games.

Paul Pierce had 29 points and nine rebounds, Ricky Davis scored 29 points and Antoine Walker had 16 points and 13 rebounds in his first game in Boston since being reacquired at the trading deadline.

Bryant finished with 26 points. Chucky Atkins added 29 points, scoring 14 in the final 5:26 to keep the Lakers in the game.

Magic 114, Kings 111: At Orlando, Fla., Steve Francis had 29 points and 10 assists to help Orlando snap a three-game losing streak with a victory over Sacramento. Peja Stojakovic led Sacramento with 28 points in his first game after missing seven games because of a hamstring injury. Francis had eight points in the fourth quarter, including a dunk that gave the Magic a seemingly safe 114-105 lead with 48 seconds left. But the Kings’ Cuttino Mobley and Mike Bibby hit consecutive 3-pointers to cut it to 114-111 with 30 seconds to play. The Kings got one more possession with 3.3 seconds to play, but Stojakovic’s 3-pointer at the buzzer was just long.

Wizards 101, Rockets 98: At Washington, D.C., Larry Hughes scored 31 points in his first game since breaking his thumb to help lead Washington to victory over Houston. Yao Ming, unable to hold his own in the paint against Haywood, made just 3 of 9 shots and finished with 11 points.

Nets 99, 76ers 93: At Philadelphia, Vince Carter scored 26 of his 32 points in the second half and Clifford Robinson added 18 points, leading New Jersey to a victory over Philadelphia. Allen Iverson had 37 points and Chris Webber scored 10 in his worst performance in three games for the 76ers.

Warriors 99, Timberwolves 93: At Minneapolis, Derek Fisher had 23 points and nine assists to lead Golden State past Minnesota for its sixth road victory of the season. Kevin Garnett had 28 points and 13 rebounds for the Timberwolves, who remain one game behind the Los Angeles Lakers for the final playoff spot in the West.

Spurs 92, Raptors 86: At San Antonio, Manu Ginobili scored 17 points, and Tony Parker added 15 to lead San Antonio to a victory over Toronto.

Hornets 94, Bobcats 85: At New Orleans, former Gonzaga Bulldog Dan Dickau scored 18 points, and P.J. Brown added 12 points and 15 rebounds to lead New Orleans to victory over Charlotte.

Clippers 101, Mavericks 92: At Los Angeles, Corey Maggette scored 34 points and Los Angeles beat Dallas to increase its home winning streak to seven and end the Mavericks’ six-game road winning streak.

Jazz 96, Hawks 74: At Salt Lake City, Mehmet Okur scored 19 points to help Utah beat struggling Atlanta for its first three-game winning streak since the opening week of the season.

Around the League

Atlanta Hawks guard Tyronn Lue was suspended by the NBA for one game after he punched Denver forward Eduardo Najera during a loss to the Nuggets on Tuesday night. … Chicago forward Tyson Chandler was fined $10,000 by the NBA, one day after making an obscene gesture toward an official during the Bulls’ loss to the Houston Rockets. … The Utah Jazz placed forward Carlos Boozer on the injured list because of a foot injury. … Washington point guard Larry Hughes returned to the lineup after missing 20 games with a broken thumb.