Artest, who scored only 11 points on 4-for-16 shooting with six turnovers, used all of his tactics in vain to stop Bryant in the final quarter.

Artest, however, was smiling afterward.

"That's what I like," Artest said. "I'd rather have a guy mad at me, and wanting to just destroy me, than have a guy who doesn't want to compete."

Bryant said Artest helped bring out the best in him.

"It wasn't much of a battle," Bryant said. "I kicked his (butt) tonight. We've had some battles in the past and he's gotten the best of me a few times. Tonight, I got the best of him."

Pau Gasol scored 20 points and Josh Powell added 17 for the Lakers, who snapped a three-game road losing streak.

Reserve Von Wafer scored 20 points for the Rockets, who've lost all three meetings with the Lakers this season.

The Lakers led 75-72 when Bryant re-entered the game after a rest with 6:57 left. Only seconds later, Artest and Bryant faced off and exchanged words before referee Gary Zielinski quickly stepped in to separate them. Both stars got technical fouls before Wafer sank a 3-pointer to tie it at 76.

"I would expect nothing less," Bryant said. "He's a competitor, I'm a competitor. It's fun."

Later, Bryant drove inside and converted a three-point play, then swished a 3-pointer after Artest tried to make a steal. That put the Lakers up 85-80 and Bryant held his follow-through and glared at the crowd before trotting down the court.

"That's part of the game," Artest said. "You've got to talk trash to the fans. It's entertaining."

Heat 107, Celtics 99

At Miami, Dwyane Wade scored 32 points to help the Heat remain 1 1/2 games behind Atlanta for fourth place in the Eastern Conference.

Ray Allen scored 27 and Leon Powe had 23 points and 13 rebounds for Boston, which fell two games behind Cleveland for the East's best record.

Hawks 100, Jazz 93

At Atlanta, Joe Johnson scored 31 points, Josh Smith had 22 points and 12 rebounds, and the Hawks ended Utah's 12-game winning streak.

Flip Murray scored 11 of his 16 points in the fourth quarter for Atlanta.

Deron Williams led the Jazz with 20 points and nine assists.

Magic 107, Bulls 79

At Orlando, Fla., Tony Battie had 18 points and eight rebounds to help the Magic clinch a playoff spot.

J.J. Redick had 13 points and Marcin Gortat added 13 points and 15 rebounds as Orlando inched closer to another Southeast Division title.

John Salmons had 18 points for Chicago.

Hornets 109, Wizards 98

At Washington, Chris Paul had his NBA-leading sixth triple-double with 30 points, 13 assists and 10 rebounds for New Orleans.

Washington began the second half with a one-point lead, before Paul compiled 14 points, six assists and four rebounds in the third quarter alone to help the Hornets outscore the Wizards 40-22 in the period.

Antawn Jamison led Washington with 25 points and 10 rebounds.

Mavericks 93, Trail Blazers 89

At Portland, Ore., Dirk Nowitzki had 29 points and 10 rebounds, and Jason Terry scored 24 points to help Dalls win its seventh in nine games.

Nowitzki hit 13 of 24 shots, including two during the final 1:03 as Portland attempted to rally from a 13-point second-half deficit.

LaMarcus Aldridge led Portland with 23 points and 11 rebounds and Brandon Roy scored 22.

Nuggets 112, Thunder 99

At Denver, Renaldo Balkman had 14 points and 14 rebounds and the Nuggets snapped a three-game losing streak.

Carmelo Anthony scored 22 points and Linas Kleiza 20 for Denver, which won for just the fourth time in 12 games.

Jeff Green's 19 points led the Thunder.

Knicks 116, Pistons 111, OT

At Auburn Hills, Mich., Nate Robinson scored 30 points and David Lee had 16 points and 18 rebounds for the Knicks, who trailed by 10 points after three quarters.

Antonio McDyess had 21 points and a career-high 22 rebounds - Detroit's first 20-20 game in over 11 years.

Warriors 116, Nets 112

At Oakland, Calif., Stephen Jackson scored 29 points, Jamal Crawford got 15 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter, and Golden State rallied from a 14-point second-half deficit.

Monta Ellis, who missed the last seven games, had 19 points, and Andris Biedrins, who missed the past five, contributed 10 points and 13 rebounds.

Devin Harris had 31 points and 12 assists for the Nets.

76ers 115, Raptors 106

At Philadelphia, Thaddeus Young scored a career-high 29 points and the 76ers handed Toronto its sixth straight loss.

Samuel Dalembert got his 11th double-double with a season-high 19 points and 13 rebounds to go with four blocks for Philadelphia.

Chris Bosh was limited to 17 points for Toronto after consecutive 30-point outings.

Timberwolves 104, Grizzlies 79

At Minneapolis, rookie Kevin Love had 19 points and 11 rebounds and Minnesota snapped a 10-game overall losing streak and an 11-game home skid.

Mike Miller had 18 points and 11 rebounds and Ryan Gomes scored 25 for the Wolves.

O.J. Mayo had 18 quiet points and Mike Conley Jr. had 17 for the Grizzlies.