NBA

For the first time you can make a very strong argument that the red-headed stepchild across the hall at Staples Center has more star power than the mighty Lakers.

Luis Scola scored 25 points to go with eight rebounds while Kyle Lowry added 20 points and six assists as the Houston Rockets downed the Denver Nuggets, 99-90 at Pepsi Center.

Tim Duncan had 19 points, 17 rebounds and five blocks as the San Antonio Spurs held on for an 89-84 win over the Memphis Grizzlies.

DeMarcus Cousins had a double-double with a season-high 28 points to go with 19 rebounds to lead the Sacramento Kings over the New Orleans Hornets, 100-92, at New Orleans Arena on Monday.

John Wall scored a game-high 31 points as the Washington Wizards held on for an 111-108 overtime win over the Toronto Raptors at Verizon Center on Monday.

Chris Paul filled the stat sheet with 29 points, including 13 in the fourth quarter and overtime, to go with eight assists and seven rebounds as the Los Angeles Clippers took down the Orlando Magic, 107-102.

The Knicks were playing without Amare Stoudemire and lost Carmelo Anthony to an injury early in the game, but Jeremy Lin had 28 points and eight assists in his first career start to lift New York over the Utah Jazz, 97-88, on Monday.

The Chicago Bulls shot 55.6 percent from the floor, made nine three-pointers and went 19-of-23 from the foul line en route to an easy 108-87 win over the New Jersey Nets on Monday night.

Steve Nash scored 24 points and handed out 11 assists, as the Phoenix Suns downed the Atlanta Hawks, 99-90 at Philips Arena.

Lou Williams scored 14 of his 24 points in the fourth quarter as the Philadelphia 76ers rallied late to down the Los Angeles Lakers, 95-90, at Wells Fargo Center.