Gasol help Lakers hold on to beat Detroit

Pau Gasol had 23 points and 10 rebounds and was the last line of defense for Los Angeles, contesting Detroit's last-second alley-oop attempt and helping the Lakers hold on for a 98-97 victory over the Pistons in Auburn Hills, Mich., on Sunday.

Los Angeles blew an 18-point third-quarter lead but went back ahead for good on Kobe Bryant's driving three-point play with 1:09 remaining. That gave the Lakers a 98-95 lead, and they held on despite missing four free throws in the final 16.8 seconds.

The normally reliable Steve Nash missed two with 2.7 seconds left, giving Detroit one more chance. Down by one, the Pistons inbounded from midcourt with 1.2 seconds to play. They tried a lob to rookie big man Andre Drummond, but with Gasol contesting the play, Drummond couldn't convert his one-handed dunk attempt.

The Lakers have won five of six, including their last two games without Dwight Howard. The All-Star center has been out with a right shoulder problem.

Heat 100, Raptors 85: LeBron James scored 30 points and Chris Bosh had 28 against his former team to lead Miami at Toronto for its 10th straight victory over the Raptors.

Dwyane Wade added 23 points as the Heat bounced back after Friday's 102-89 loss at Indiana, ensuring their team Super Bowl viewing party would be a happy one.

Celtics 106, Clippers 104: Paul Pierce scored 22 points and host Boston held off a late comeback to beat Los Angeles and improve to 4-0 since losing Rajon Rondo for the season.

The Clippers had pulled within 103-101 on a 3-pointer by Eric Bledsoe with 56 seconds remaining. But Avery Bradley drew an offensive foul on Los Angeles' Jamal Crawford with 26 seconds to go, and Pierce held on to the ball before making a 3-pointer with 2.5 second left to clinch the win.