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First Posted: 3/15/2013
INDIANAPOLIS — Kobe Bryant lasted just one quarter on a severely sprained left ankle, but Dwight Howard completed a go-ahead, three-point play with 90 seconds left Friday night to help the Los Angeles Lakers hold off the Indiana Pacers, 99-93.
Bryant started two nights after he was hurt but was ineffective. He went 0 for 4 in the first quarter, then went to the bench and did not return. He spent the second half holding a black box with wires running down to the injured ankle as he cheered on the Lakers (35-32).
Howard finished with 20 points and 12 rebounds. Metta World Peace had 19 points.
George Hill scored 27 points and Paul George had 20 for Indiana.
Raptors 92, Bobcats 78
TORONTO — Rudy Gay scored 28 points, Amir Johnson had 12 points and a career-high 21 rebounds, and the Toronto Raptors beat Charlotte.
Joey Dorsey was the last Toronto player to record 20 rebounds, doing it April 11, 2011, at Milwaukee.
Sebastian Telfair scored 11 points and Jonas Valanciunas had 10 as the Raptors won for just the third time in 10 games.
Wizards 96, Hornets 87
WASHINGTON — John Wall put on a rare shooting show Friday night, scoring a season-high 29 points and matching his career high with three 3-pointers as the Washington Wizards ran their home winning streak to four with a 96-87 victory over the New Orleans Hornets.
Wall went 12 for 15 from the field, including 3 for 3 from 3-point range, displaying an outside touch that’s been mostly absent since he was chosen No. 1 overall in the 2010 draft. He entered Friday’s game just 3 for 20 from 3-point range for the season, and he was a mere 3 for 42 last season.
Hawks 107, Suns 94
ATLANTA — Josh Smith made a strong return to Atlanta’s lineup with 17 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists, and the Hawks led by double figures throughout the final period of their victory over the Phoenix Suns.
Smith returned to Atlanta’s lineup after missing one game with a sprained left knee. All five starters scored in double figures, with Al Horford adding 16 points and 11 rebounds.