USA - Nocioni stays hot for Bulls

CHICAGO (NBA) - In-form Andres Nocioni continued his hot streak with 20 of his 24 points coming in the first half as the Chicago Bulls posted a 112-94 thumping of the Washington Wizards, who lost their franchise-record eighth straight road game to open a season.

Ben Gordon scored 28 points and Luol Deng added 18 for the Bulls (7-9), who began their eight-game homestand with a season-high fourth straight win after a six-game skid.

In Friday's 111-108 triumph over New Orleans, Nocioni had career highs of 31 points and 13 rebounds and the Argentina Olympic gold-medal winning forward stayed hot.

Yao Ming recorded 24 points and four blocks and Chuck Hayes grabbed 13 rebounds as the Houston Rockets cruised to an 81-63 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Kobe Bryant scored 29 points and Lamar Odom added 18 and eight rebounds as the Los Angeles Lakers took advantage of sloppy play by the struggling Los Angeles Clippers in a 97-88 victory.

In just 11 minutes, Vladimir Radmanovic scored 10 points off the bench for the Lakers, who shot 50% (40-of-80) from the field and had four double-digit scorers to pick up their second straight win.

James Posey nailed a desperation three-pointer from the left corner as time expired and Jason Williams set a team record with 13 of his 14 assists in the first half as the Miami Heat held off the Memphis Grizzlies for a 98-97 victory.

Carmelo Anthony scored 24 of his season-high 38 points in the first half as the Denver Nuggets rolled to their eighth win in nine games, a 121-101 rout of the Indiana Pacers.

Mehmet Okur hit the go-ahead three-pointer with 1.6 seconds remaining to lift the Utah Jazz to a thrilling 109-107 victory over the Seattle SuperSonics.

Seattle was coming off Friday's 105-103 home triumph over Indiana in which Luke Ridnour hit the game-winning floater in the lane as time expired.

One night later, it was Okur's turn. Bruce Bowen scored a season-high 23 points, including the go-ahead three-pointer with 1:17 left, to help the San Antonio Spurs survive a late charge and hold on for a 100-98 triumph over the Sacramento Kings.

TJ Ford scored six of his 20 points in the last 87 seconds to help the Toronto Raptors hold on for a 103-100 victory over the New York Knicks, who continue to struggle at home.

Vince Carter scored a season-high 41 points and repeatedly turned aside rallies as the New Jersey Nets moved into first place in the Atlantic Division, holding on for a 112-107 victory over the sliding Philadelphia 76ers.

PA Sport