Associated Press
The NBA roundup …
LOS ANGELES ó Andrew Bynum provided the Los Angeles Lakers with a powerful performance in his season debut, following a four-game suspension that carried over from the playoffs.
It all would have been for naught, however, had it not been for some clutch shooting in the fourth quarter by Kobe Bryant and a couple of equally critical hustle plays by Derek Fisher and Pau Gasol in the final minutes.
Bynum scored 29 points on 13 for 18 shooting and grabbed 13 rebounds, leading the Lakers to a 92-89 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Saturday. The 7-foot center played 31 1/2 grueling minutes, helping the Lakers win their third straight following their first 0-2 start since 2002-03.
Thunder 107, Suns 97
OKLAHOMA CITY ó Russell Westbrook scored 18 points, Daequan Cook hit four 3-pointers in quick succession to help Oklahoma City pull away in the first half and the Thunder led wire to wire in a 107-97 victory over the Phoenix Suns.
The Thunder improved to 5-0 and remained perfect in four New Year’s Eve home games that have become a tradition since the franchise moved from Seattle.
Two nights after his buzzer-beater against Dallas, Kevin Durant had only 12 points in his bid to become the first player since Michael Jordan a quarter-century earlier to score at least 30 in the first five games of a season.
Knicks 114, Kings 92
SACRAMENTO, Calif. ó Carmelo Anthony scored 23 points, Tyson Chandler had 18 of his 22 in the second half, and the New York Knicks assumed control early.
The Knicks didn’t miss starting forward Amare Stoudemire, their leading rebounder and second-leading scorer who sat out with a sprained left ankle.
ROCKETS 95, HAWKS 84
HOUSTON ó Kevin Martin scored 27 points, Kyle Lowry matched a career high with 18 assists and the Houston Rockets led from start to finish in a 95-84 victory over the Atlanta Hawks.
PISTONS 96, PACERS 88
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. ó Jonas Jerebko had 20 points and 12 rebounds, and Detroit ended Lawrence Frank’s 20-game losing streak by beating Indiana.
Tyler Hansbrough and George Hill had 16 points off the bench for the Pacers.
76ers 107, Warriors 79
OAKLAND, Calif. ó Andre Iguodala had 14 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, Lou Williams added 23 points off the bench and the Philadelphia 76ers overcame a sluggish start to beat Golden State 107-79.
Stephen Curry, back in the lineup after a one-game absence due to a sprained ankle, scored 21 points for Golden State.
Spurs 104, Jazz 89
SAN ANTONIO ó Manu Ginobili scored 23 points, 14 in the second quarter, to lead the San Antonio Spurs to a 104-89 win over the Utah Jazz on Saturday night.
Ginobili was 9 of 10 from the field, including 5 of 6 from 3-point range.