Kevin Garnett scored 21 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in just 23 minutes as the Boston Celtics thrashed the Sacramento Kings, 108-63 at Arco Arena. The 45-point rout was the biggest home loss for the Kings since moving to Sacramento. The Celtics held their opponents to an NBA season-worst 28 per cent (19-of-68) shooting and the fewest field goals made in Sacramento's history since 1954-55, when the shot clock era began. No Celtic starter played in the fourth quarter as Boston had established a 36-point lead after three. Only John Salmons, who scored 11 points but made just two of nine shots, made double figures for the Kings. Kobe Bryant scored 31 points as the Los Angeles Lakers cruised to a 130-113 victory over the Golden State Warriors. Bryant, who was 9-of-15 from the field and 10-of-10 from the free-throw line, was one of six Lakers to reach double figures.
Derek Fisher finished with 19 points and Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol added 13 apiece. Sasha Vujacic poured in 17 points and fellow reserve Trevor Ariza had 11 for Los Angeles, LeBron James finished with 33 points, nine assists and six boards as the Cleveland Cavaliers saw off the Miami Heat 93-86. Cleveland improved to 15-0 at Quicken Loans Arena to remain the only team in the NBA unbeaten at home this season. Dwyane Wade carried the Heat with 29 points and eight assists as Miami's four-game winning run ended. Carmelo Anthony returned to the line-up and scored 32 points as the Denver Nuggets opened a four-game road trip with a 117-110 victory over the New York Knicks. JR Smith added 16 points and Chauncey Billups contributed 14 for the Denver, who improved to 20-11. David West hit a jumper with 2.5 seconds remaining to lift the New Orleans Hornets to a 105-103 win over the Indiana Pacers. Chris Paul scored 17 of his 19 points in the second-half and collected 12 assists, five rebounds and three steals for the Hornets, who topped the century mark for the first time since Dec 10. Even without Dirk Nowitzki, the Dallas Mavericks proved too strong for the Los Angeles Clippers as they completed a 98-76 rout. Josh Howard picked up the slack for the All-Star, posting 29 points, nine boards and seven assists for the Mavericks, who never trailed. It was the third consecutive game - and fifth time this season - that the Clippers have not held the lead at any point in a game. *PA Sport
