Bryant shines in Lakers win

Los Angeles Lakers’ Julius Randle (left) drives to the basket against New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis in their NBA game in New Orleans on Thursday. The Lakers won 99-96. (Photo: AP )

Toronto extended their lead in the NBA’s Atlantic Division by ending Portland’s winning streak at five, beating the Trail Blazers 110-103 on Thursday as Kyle Lowry led the way with 30 points.

The Raptors have won 13 of their past 14 games and moved 5-1/2 games clear atop the Atlantic, and are now a dozen games clear of third-placed New York, who came back from a big deficit at Detroit only to be beaten by three late 3-pointers.

Toronto’s DeMar DeRozan scored 29 points for the Raptors, who made 12 of their 19 3-point attempts in the game, with Lowry sinking a season-best seven.

Damian Lillard had 27 points and 11 assists for the Blazers, who were within five points with just under a minute to play but could not bridge the gap.

Detroit gave up a 27-point lead before Anthony Tolliver and Reggie Jackson got them out of jail with a trio of big 3-pointers late in the fourth quarter.

The Knicks rallied from the big second-quarter deficit and took a 97-95 lead. Detroit got back in front, and Jackson hit the 3 which sealed an unconvincing victory for the Pistons.

Los Angeles’ Kobe Bryant scored 27 points, hitting three pivotal 3-pointers in the last six-plus minutes, to lead the Lakers to a 99-95 win at New Orleans.