NBA Western Conference

Bryant, the league's leading scorer, missed his third straight game with a sore left shin
Al-Farouq Aminu of the New Orleans Hornets fights for a ball with Devin Ebanks of the Los Angeles Lakers
Kobe Bryant
Rudy Gay (L) scored 17 points for the Memphis Grizzlies on April 6
Bryant, the league's scoring leader, finished the night three-for-21 from the floor
Dwight Howard (C) of the Orlando Magic attempts a shot against Brendan Haywood (R) of the Dallas Mavericks
Kevin Garnett spent a dozen seasons with Minnesota before being traded to the Celtics in 2007
The Heat ended the game on a 16-2 scoring run
'Magic' Johnson led the Los Angeles Lakers to five NBA titles before his retirement in 1991
New Orleans forward Jason Smith is averaging 8.7 points and 4.2 rebounds a game
LeBron James scored 20 points in Miami Heat's 99-95 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday
Dirk Nowitzki of Dallas Mavericks
Parker handed out seven assists
In the trade Houston will also receive the protected first-round pick in the 2012 NBA draft
The Portland Trail Blazers sacked coach Nate McMillan
Mike Woodson the interim head coach of the New York Knicks calls a play during the game against Portland
The Knicks responded to the turmoil of coach Mike D'Antoni's resignation with a resounding 121-79 victory over Portland
Mike Woodson the interim head coach of the New York Knicks calls a play during the game against Portland
The Knicks responded to the turmoil of coach Mike D'Antoni's resignation with a resounding 121-79 victory over Portland
Andrew Bogut has averaged 12.7 points and 9.3 rebounds over his NBA career

US police probe Chris Brown fight with rapper Ocean

Los Angeles police are investigating a fight between singer Chris Brown -- still on probation for beating girlfriend Rihanna in 2009 -- and rapper Frank Ocean.
 

Warriors win in Bogut's return from ankle injury

Australian big man Andrew Bogut played his first NBA game in nearly three months, scoring 12 points and grabbing eight rebounds for the Golden State Warriors in a 114-102 victory at Toronto.
 

Chinese New Year bash planned for NBA

The National Basketball Association announced plans on Monday to stage its biggest international tribute ever when it honors the Chinese New Year celebration next month.
 

Kobe's passing fancy sparks Lakers over Thunder

Kobe Bryant has been making more passes than shots lately and the results have been impressive for the Los Angeles Lakers, who toppled Oklahoma City from the NBA's best record on Sunday.
 

Batum posts triple-double as Blazers down Clippers

Portland forward Nicolas Batum notched the second triple-double of his NBA career to lead the Trail Blazers to a 101-100 victory over the slumping Los Angeles Clippers.
 

Rockets rookie White accepts D-League post

Tensions between the Houston Rockets and first-round draft pick Royce White eased Saturday when the NBA team lifted White's suspension and he would report to the Developmental League.
 

Los Angeles Lakers halt skid with team effort

With superstar Kobe Bryant doing his utmost to get his teammates involved, the Los Angeles Lakers snapped a four-game NBA losing streak with a 102-84 victory over the Utah Jazz.
 

Lakers halt skid with team effort

With superstar Kobe Bryant doing his utmost to get his teammates involved, the Los Angeles Lakers snapped a four-game NBA losing streak with a 102-84 victory over the Utah Jazz.
 

Duncan, Bosh head NBA All-Star reserves

San Antonio's Tim Duncan and the Miami Heat's Chris Bosh headline the 14 players selected by NBA coaches as reserves for the 2013 All-Star Game next month.
 

Hornets to become Pelicans in nod to state tradition

The NBA's New Orleans Hornets will become the Pelicans beginning in the 2013-14 season, team owner Tom Benson announced on Thursday.
 

Howard hurt again as Lakers routed in Memphis

Los Angeles Lakers center Dwight Howard again injured his right shoulder in the second quarter of their 106-93 loss at Memphis, the struggling club's 10th loss in 12 games.
 

Hill lost to Lakers for season after hip surgery

Los Angeles Lakers forward Jordan Hill underwent left hip surgery on Wednesday that will sideline him for the remainder of the season, the NBA club announced.
 

Knicks, Lakers top Forbes list of most valuable clubs

Even without Asian-American star Jeremy Lin, the New York Knicks are the most valuable franchise in the NBA at $1.1 billion, according to a list released on Wednesday by Forbes magazine.
 

Durant leads Thunder over injury-hit Clippers

NBA scoring leader Kevin Durant netted 32 points to power the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 109-97 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers, in a showdown of the teams with the league's best records.
 

Woeful Cavaliers get help from Grizzlies

The Cleveland Cavaliers, with the NBA's second-worst record, received some help from Memphis on Tuesday in a trade deal that will save the Grizzlies some money.
 

Rockets end skid with win over Bobcats

James Harden scored 29 points to lead Houston to a 100-94 victory over the Charlotte Bobcats that ended the Rockets' NBA losing streak at seven games.
 

League to review Kings sale to Seattle group

The NBA will review the agreement for the sale of the Sacramento Kings to an investor group that reportedly plans to relocate the club to Seattle.
 

Nuggets silence Thunder in overtime

Corey Brewer scored 26 points and Danilo Gallinari added 18 as the Denver Nuggets halted Oklahoma City's six-game NBA winning streak with a 121-118 overtime triumph over the Thunder.
 

Raptors down Lakers as Howard tossed on technical

Toronto guard Jose Calderon scored 22 points and handed out nine assists as the Raptors handed the Los Angeles Lakers their fifth straight NBA road defeat, 108-103.
 

Kings' fans excited to have NHL back

Clint Frazer says seeing the Stanley Cup in person Saturday allowed him to put aside any hostile feelings he had over the labour dispute which delayed the start of the NHL season for four months.