Los Angeles - The Los Angeles Lakers welcomed back Andrew Bynum, and sent the Denver Nuggets packing with another loss at Staples Centre. Kobe Bryant scored 33 points, Spain's Pau Gasol had 27 with a career-high 19 rebounds and the Lakers snapped the Nuggets' eight-game winning streak, 116-102 on Thursday night.

Though the Lakers one-two punch knocked out the Nuggets at Staples Centre for the 22nd time in the last 24 meetings, and moved one-half game behind the Cleveland Cavaliers for the best record in the NBA, the night belonged to Bynum.

Los Angeles  - One night after carrying the Los Angeles Lakers to the finish line, Kobe Bryant saved them from a late collapse.

The reigning NBA Most Valuable Player scored 23 points, including the game-sealing three-pointer with 1:46 left, as the Lakers held off the San Antonio Spurs 102-95 on Thursday night in a showdown between Western Conference leaders.

With the victory, the league-best Lakers (52-13) won the Pacific Division title for the 20th time in franchise history, and became the first team in the Western Conference to clinch a playoff spot.

Phoenix, Arizona  - They argue and snub each other, and for years, there has been no love lost between the former Los Angeles Lakers teammates Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal. But one thing is certain: When the two play together, good things happen.

The occasional friends and adversaries shared the most valuable player trophy Sunday night after their West squad clobbered the East 146-119 to win the National Basketball Association's annual All-Star Game at the US Airways Center.