Los Angeles - The Boston Celtics gave themselves an early Christmas gift - and one that money can't buy - a place in the franchise and NBA record books.
Kevin Garnett and Rajon Rondo scored 18 points apiece as the surging Celtics rolled to their 19th consecutive victory Tuesday night, beating the visiting Philadelphia
76ers 110-91.
"We haven't really kept up with the streak, but any time you win, any time you establish yourself in history is always a great thing," Garnett said. "I'm happy to be a part of it. It's a special group and we're working hard."
However, Garnett and his teammates continue to downplay the historical run, focusing instead on the big picture.
Los Angeles - LeBron James may put an end to all of the speculation about his free agency in 2010.
The superstar swingman of the Cleveland Cavaliers told the Cleveland Plain Dealer on Saturday that he would consider signing a contract extension after this season, which would take him off the most anticipated free agent market in years.
"You play out this season, of course; I will consider it," James told the newspaper before the Cavaliers practiced at the Pepsi Center in Denver. "The direction we are headed is everything I expected and more."
Cleveland is 22-4, the second-best record in the NBA behind the defending champion Boston Celtics (25-2). The Cavaliers have won 13 of their last 14 games.
Los Angeles - All of a sudden, the Los Angeles Lakers are slumping.
The Lakers wasted a season-high 41 points from Kobe Bryant and dropped consecutive games for the first time this season with Saturday's 106-103 loss to the host Orlando Magic.
Jameer Nelson scored 27 points and Rashard Lewis added 22 for the Magic, who won their fourth straight game as they survived Dwight Howard's foul trouble and a last-second shot by Bryant, who missed at the buzzer for the second straight night.
Los Angeles - Brandon Roy had a night to remember.
Roy poured in a career-high 52 points, including the tie-breaking three-pointer with 61 seconds remaining, as he carried the Portland Trail Blazers to a rousing 124-119 comeback victory over the visiting Phoenix Suns on Thursday night.
"That was the best game of my career," said Roy, who made 14-of-27 shots, including five three-pointers and 19-of-21 free throws. "A lot of my teammates stepped up tonight, it was a team win."
Roy came into the contest averaging 22.3 points this season, but his sparkling effort was the second highest total of the season, behind the 55 scored by San Antonio's Tony Parker.
Vilnius - The governing body of Lithuanian basketball announced Thursday that it was suspending this weekend's programme of matches in protest at government tax proposals.
In a press release, the Lithuanian Basketball League (LBL) said no national championship games would take place until December 29 in the face of "catastrophic and draconian taxes" planned by the recently-elected government of Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius.
Vilnius - The governing body of Lithuanian basketball announced Thursday that it was suspending this weekend's programme of matches in protest at government tax proposals.
