Lakers nip Thunder in OT; Shaq masters Wizards

LA Lakers 101, OKC Thunder 98 (OT)

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Ron Artest finally got to experience what it's like to be on the same team when Kobe Bryant finishes off a win.

Bryant scored 31 points including the go-ahead jumper in overtime as the Los Angeles Lakers got tested in their first road game of the season, beating the Oklahoma City Thunder 101-98 on Tuesday night.

Bryant connected on a turnaround jumper from the left side with 2:29 to play to give the defending NBA champions a 99-97 lead and then hit two free throws with 18 seconds remaining to push the lead to three.

The Thunder had two chances to tie it late, but Thabo Sefolosha and Russell Westbrook each missed 3-pointers surrounding a pair of missed free throws by Lamar Odom .

Kevin Durant led Oklahoma City with 28 points but airballed a pair of shots that could have given the Thunder the lead in the closing minute of regulation and overtime.

He dribbled the ball to run down the final few seconds of the fourth quarter before coming up empty on a deep 3-pointer from the right wing with 2.7 seconds left, but Sefolosha stole the Lakers' ensuing inbounds pass to send the game to overtime.

Durant then had an airball on a 17-footer from the right side in the final 30 seconds of overtime that could've put Oklahoma City ahead again. Bryant was fouled intentionally and hit two free throws to provide the final margin.

Andrew Bynum added 22 points and 10 rebounds, Artest scored 20 and Odom had 13 points and eight rebounds while starting again in place of the injured Pau Gasol .

Jeff Green had 18 points for Oklahoma City while Westbrook and Sefolosha each scored 12.

The Lakers have won their last 10 games against the Thunder franchise, dating back to its days in Seattle.

Cleveland Cavaliers 102, Washington Wizards 90

CLEVELAND(AP) Shaquille O'Neal has always felt like when he gets the ball down low, within a few feet of the basket, he should score every time.

The Cavaliers just got him, and they're not about to let him go.

O'Neal had easily his best game since joining Cleveland, scoring a season-high 21 points while wearing out Washington's big men and LeBron James scored 27 points as the Cavaliers won their third straight, beating the Wizards 102-90 on Tuesday night.

Hitting bank shots. Dropping hooks. Making free throws. Dominating.

For the first time with the Cavaliers, Shaq was Shaq.

The Cavs have been using the 7-foot-1 O'Neal and his 7-foot-3 backup, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, together with mixed results. But the pair are getting more comfortable and confident with every second they spend on the floor and have the potential to be a matchup nightmare for any team.

Brown has never had a weapon like O'Neal. When asked what it's like to have such a big interior threat, Cleveland's coach just smiled.

Mo Williams scored 15 and Daniel Gibson 14 for the Cavs, who made nine 3-pointers in the second half - four in the fourth quarter when James was out. Cleveland held the Wizards to just 36 points in the second half and only 59 over the final three quarters.

Caron Butler and Gilbert Arenas scored 22 apiece to lead the Wizards.