Bynum inspires Lakers

ANDREW Bynum grabbed a career-high 30 rebounds to help the Los Angeles Lakers beat the San Antonio Spurs 98-84 in NBA action.

Friday, April 13, 2012
Los Angeles Lakersu2019 Metta World Peace (15) and San Antonio Spursu2019 Tim Duncan chase a loose ball during the third quarter of an NBA basketball game. The Lakers won 98-84. Net photo.

ANDREW Bynum grabbed a career-high 30 rebounds to help the Los Angeles Lakers beat the San Antonio Spurs 98-84 in NBA action.Bynum scored 16 points to go with his monster haul of rebounds, which was also an NBA season-high, while Metta World Peace had 26 and Pau Gasol added 21 points along with 11 boards. For the Spurs, who got 22 points from Daniel Green, it was the first time since January they had lost back-to-back games.San Antonio stayed one game back on Western Conference leaders Oklahoma City, who also lost, 100-98 to the Los Angeles Clippers. Chris Paul was the star for the Clippers with 31 points.Kevin Garnett scored 22 points and Paul Pierce sunk a key jumper as the Boston Celtics beat Atlanta 88-86 in overtime. Only six points were scored in the extra period, but Boston got four of them including two from Pierce, who had endured a tough game shooting just six of 19 from the floor.Carmelo Anthony scored 32 points to help the New York Knicks to a 111-107 win over Milwaukee. Monta Ellis poured in 35 in a losing cause for the Bucks.Jamal Crawford plundered 34 points from the bench to lead the the Portland Trail Blazers to a 118-110 win over Golden State.Ty Lawson scored 24 points and Arron Afflalo added 21 as Denver claimed a 113-107 win over Minnesota.Jason Smith’s 22 points helped the New Orleans Hornets to a 105-96 win over Sacramento, while Rudy Gay’s season-high 32 points lifted Memphis to a 104-93 victory over Phoenix.The Utah Jazz beat the Houston Rockets 103-91, the Indiana Pacers saw off the Cleveland Cavaliers 104-98 in overtime while the Philadelphia 76ers stymied the Toronto Raptors to claim a 93-75 success.