Boston had Kobe Bryant fever on Wednesday.
The 20-year veteran made headlines for his last trip to Beantown in purple and gold. His young teammates helped the Lakers leave town with a 112-104 win.
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Bryant finished with 15 points and 11 rebounds, but second-year man Jordan Clarkson led the way for LA with 24 points. Even more encouraging for the Lakers, youngsters Julius Randle and D'Angelo Russell were very productive off the bench. Randle scored 15 points, grabbed 12 rebounds and had four assists, while Russell added 16 points.
The win improved the Lakers' record to 6-27. That won't move them from the bottom of the Western Conference, but the play of their young trio should give hope that better days are ahead. For now, they'll still have to take a back seat to No. 24 when it comes to the limelight.
Tweet of the Night
This shouldn't work, but it did.
Great pass by @paugasol, better finish by @JimmyButler https://t.co/fkAiFwhn5r
— NBA TV (@NBATV) December 31, 2015Studs of the Night
Brooklyn's Brook Lopez had a big night against the Magic with for 24 points, 15 rebounds and five blocks, but the Nets lost 100-93. The Magic had five players score in double figures, led by Nikola Vucevic's 20.
The Spurs' LaMarcus Aldridge had his way down low, scoring 21 points and pulling down 12 rebounds in a 112-79 rout of the Suns.
One night after disappearing against the Raptors, Jimmy Butler came up big Wednesday for the Bulls against the Pacers. Butler scored 28 points as Chicago won 102-100.
Duds of the Night
With Stephen Curry (calf) out of the lineup against the Mavericks, Wednesday's game in Dallas was a chance for Klay Thompson and Draymond Green to show what they could do without the league's MVP. Both players struggled; each shot 4 of 15 from the floor. Green finished with 11 points and Thompson with 10 in a 114-91 loss.
Looking ahead
Warriors (29-2) at Rockets (16-17), 7 p.m.: The Warriors won't have long to lick their wounds as their Texas Two-Step sends them to Houston to take on the Rockets and James Harden. Curry is again expected to be out of the lineup.