Vince Carter scored 26 points to lead the Orlando Magic to a 83-78 win over the Boston Celtics on Friday, in a reprise of last season's NBA Eastern Conference semifinal.

Tracy McGrady is keen to return to NBA action, but the Houston Rockets aren't taking any chances with their seven-time All-Star.

Pau Gasol had 24 points and 13 rebounds in his season debut as the Los Angeles Lakers downed the Chicago Bulls 108-93 in the NBA on Thursday.

The Atlanta Hawks reclaimed a share of the lead in the NBA standings with a 105-90 win over the Miami Heat on Wednesday. Joe Johnson made it two straight 30-point games, and Josh Smith dominated during a decisive first-half run as Atlanta won its sixth in a row.

The Phoenix Suns recovered from a slow start to get a 111-105 win over the Houston Rockets in the NBA on Tuesday, rallying from a double-digit deficit to victory for the fifth time this season.

Kobe Bryant showed no signs of injury as the 11-time All-Star guard lit up the scoreboard for 40 points in the Los Angeles Lakers' 106-93 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday.

Dirk Nowitzki hit a 18-foot fallaway as time expired in overtime to give the Dallas Mavericks a 115-113 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday night.

Aaron Brooks scored a career-high 33 points as the Houston Rockets beat Los Angeles 101-91 on Sunday night, sending the NBA champion Lakers to a second consecutive loss.

Brandon Jennings scored 55 points, breaking Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's club rookie record, to lead the Milwaukee Bucks to a come-from-behind 129-125 victory Saturday over the Golden State Warriors.

LeBron James may persuade NBA players to give up their No. 23s, but a league-wide retirement of Michael Jordan's number seems unlikely.