Basketball: Bryant fires as Lakers pip Kings in nail-biter

Bryant pours in 38 points to help Lakers over the line in double-overtime thriller

Kobe Bryant played a starring role with 38 points as the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Sacramento Kings after double-overtime.

Bryant's 38-point haul in a second short of 51 minutes on court steered the Lakers to their victory, making partial amends for their Boxing Day defeat at the hands of the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The Dallas Mavericks had seven players in double figures as they overcame the Memphis Grizzlies 106-101. Dirk Nowitzki scored 20 points and Jason Terry contributed 23, having a decisive say in the final quarter. In response, Zach Randolph scored a game-high 27 points for the Grizzlies.

The Golden State Warriors beat the Phoenix Suns 132-127 in the night's highest-scoring match, as Corey Maggette and Monta Ellis both scored 33 points. Phoenix's Steve Nash scored a game-high 36 points.

The Chicago Bulls were too strong for the New Orleans Hornets, posting a 96-85 home win as Tyrus Thomas led the scoring with 21 points while Joakim Noah contributed 17 and had 18 rebounds.

Thirty points from Kevin Durant helped the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 98-91 victory over poor travellers the Charlotte Bobcats, while Carl Landry's 26 points propelled the Houston Rockets to a 98-93 win on the road against the New Jersey Nets.

The Milwaukee Bucks had a dismal day in front of their home crowd, crashing to a 112-97 defeat against the San Antonio Spurs, for whom Tim Duncan finished with 26 points.

A fifth successive defeat for the Indiana Pacers came at the hands of the Atlanta Hawks, who recorded a 110-98 road victory. Al Horford scored 25 points and pulled down 19 rebounds.

Corey Brewer scored 27 points to spur the Minnesota Timberwolves to their 101-89 win over the Washington Wizards, while the Utah Jazz beat the Philadelphia 76ers 97-76, with Deron Williams scoring 27 points.