Howard carries Magic past Lakers

Dwight Howard had 21 points and 23 rebounds, and the Orlando Magic led comfortably throughout   most of a 92-80 victory against the Los Angeles Lakers yesterday.

Jameer Nelson shook off a slump to contribute 17 points and nine assists to the Magic’s fifth win in six games. Kobe Bryant scored 30 points for the Lakers, who shot 29 percent in the first half while falling behind by as many as 23 points.

CHI 114- CLE 75

Power forward Carlos Boozer collected 19 points, a game-high 14 rebounds and four assists as the Chicago Bulls destroyed the Cleveland Cavaliers 114-75 at Quicken Loans Arena. Small forwardLuol Deng scored a game-best 21 points, and point guard C.J. Watson added 15 points and seven assists for the Bulls, who played without injured NBA MVP Derrick Rose. It was the largest home loss in Cavaliers history, covering 42 seasons and 1,670 regular season games.

MIN 101- LAC 98

A last-second 3-pointer settled a game inside Staples Center for the third time in the last five days, but this time it wasn’t the home team that escaped with a victory, as Minnesota forward Kevin Lovesank the winning basket as the buzzer sounded, lifting the Timberwolves to a 101-98 victory against the Clippers.

IND 94- GSW 91

George Hill scored on a breakaway layup and ensuing free throw with 1.8 seconds left as the Indiana Pacers pulled out a 94-91 victory against the Golden State Warriors. Danny Granger had a game-high 26 points for the Pacers.

DEN 108- WAS 104

Al Harrington had a season-high 29 points, Ty Lawson and Danilo Gallinari each added 21 as the Denver Nuggets, playing without injured forward Nene, beat the Washington Wizards 108-104 yesterday.

PHX 79- BOS 71

Marcin Gortat had a game-high 24 points and 12 rebounds, helping the Phoenix Suns to muster enough offense to outlast the shorthanded Boston Celtics 79-71.