as he canned a tough turn-around layup and hit the free throw

NEW YORK -- Lance Stephenson gave the home fans something to cheer, and that hasnt happened often in Brooklyn this season. And the way the Nets are going, it may not happen many more times. "I think its getting very close to just accepting losing," coach Jason Kidd said. Stephenson scored a career-high 26 points in his hometown, Paul George also had 26, and the Indiana Pacers went on to their third straight easy victory, 103-86 over the Nets on Monday night. Stephenson, who recorded his NBA-leading third triple-double of the season Sunday in a rout of Boston, did most of his damage as a scorer, back where he did plenty of it in high school. He became the career scoring leader in New York state, with nearly 3,000 points at Abraham Lincoln High School. Dozens of fans saluted him as he exited the court through the tunnel, and Stephenson, unable to hide his grin afterward, figures he knew most of them. "I just was very motivated and hyped for this game. I couldnt sleep at night. Im just happy we got the W," said Stephenson, who coach Frank Vogel said should be the leading choice for the Most Improved Player award that George won last season. David West finished with 13 points for the Pacers, who pulled away in the third period, when Paul Pierce was ejected for a flagrant foul in only the second scoreless game of his career. Indiana followed its only losing streak of the season by beating Houston and Boston by a combined 60 points, then blew this one open after a competitive first half. "Lance Stephenson and Paul George just keep putting in special performances and theyre really giving us a big lift," Vogel said. Joe Johnson scored 17 points for the Nets, who lost their third straight. Kevin Garnett, moving to the centre spot after Brook Lopez was lost to a broken right foot, had 12. Lopez was the Nets leading scorer, and his loss -- and watching how easily the Pacers dominated the third quarter -- make it hard to believe the Nets can turn around their 9-18 record and reach their lofty expectations. "Were kind of getting comfortable with losing and weve got to make a stand with that because when things get tough, do we just give in?" Kidd said. "And most of the time right now we do." The Nets host Chicago on Christmas. Deron Williams, who shot 3 of 9 in an admittedly poor performance, disagreed with Kidds statement about accepting losing. "Im not comfortable with losing. Its not fun," he said. "Its not fun not only when were losing during the game, but when you go home sitting and thinking about it." Neither team managed a double-digit lead in the first half. The Pacers went ahead by eight late in the second quarter on Stephensons 3-pointer, and they took a 45-39 advantage into halftime. George hit a 3-pointer to open the third and it was all Indiana from there, highlighted by a 20-4 run that turned an eight-point lead into a 71-47 bulge. Pierce was ejected during the blitz. George Hill stole a bad pass and was going in for a layup and Pierce hustled back and appeared to be trying to wrap him up, but his arm ended up going around Hills neck for a clothesline tackle. Referees ruled it a flagrant 2 after review, an automatic ejection, though even Hill wasnt sure it warranted that. "It was a basketball play. I think back in the day, hard fouls was good," he said. "So, it was a hard foul, but at the end of the day, dont let it rattle you and thats what I thought about." Pierce finished 0 for 7. His only other scoreless night in a 15-year career came in a 10-minute outing against the Charlotte Hornets on March 9, 1999, during his rookie season, according to STATS. Nets reserve Jason Terry had 11 points in his first appearance since Nov. 20 after he missed the last 15 games with a bruised left knee. Andray Blatche also scored 11. Notes: The teams meet again Saturday at Indiana, the start of punishing three-game trip for the Nets that follows with visits to San Antonio and Oklahoma City. ... The Pacers, who had 29 and 28 assists in their last two games, finished with 16. ... Danny Granger was 0 for 7 in 14 scoreless minutes. http://www.officiallionsgear.com/Lions-Kerry-Hyder-Draft-Jersey/ . Ashton scored a hat trick -- giving him 13 goals in 16 AHL games this season -- to power the Toronto Marlies to a 5-2 victory over the visiting Lake Erie Monsters in AHL action on Sunday. http://www.officiallionsgear.com/Lions-Dwayne-Washington-Draft-Jersey/ . Jamies number grades given are out of five, with five being the best mark. Steve Mason, Philadelphia (4) - Mason was brilliant all night long with save after big save on Benoit Pouliot, Carl Hagelin and Derick Brassard. http://www.officiallionsgear.com/Lions-K...y-Draft-Jersey/. -- The Oakland Athletics and free agent right-hander Bartolo Colon have agreed to terms on a US$2 million, one-year contract, bolstering their depleted starting rotation. http://www.officiallionsgear.com/Lions-Deshawn-Shead-Draft-Jersey/ . The Nuggets leading scorer, Lawson is characterized as day to day by the team. Hes averaging 17.9 points and 8.9 assists. Lawson suffered the injury late in Denvers win Sunday at Sacramento. Theo Riddick Jersey . They named Mark Washington as their defensive co-ordinator on Thursday and appear to be closing in on an offensive co-ordinator.Los Angeles, CA (SportsNetwork.com) - Kobe Bryant registered his 20th career triple-double as the Los Angeles Lakers snapped a four-game losing streak with a 129-122 overtime win against the Toronto Raptors on Sunday. Bryant finished with 31 points, 12 assists and 11 rebounds, while also becoming the first NBA player in history to record 30,000 points and 6,000 assists. Our guys were in great rhythm and that opened up the game for me, said Bryant. We shot the ball with confidence tonight and that makes it easier for everybody. Nick Young deposited a season-high 20 points and Carlos Boozer added 18 points and nine rebounds in the win. It feels great, Young said. This is something we needed. I felt like I got my swag back tonight. Kyle Lowry led the way for Toronto, which was playing its first game without DeMar DeRozan, with 29 points, nine assists and six rebounds. DeRozan is out indefinitely with a torn tendon in his left groin. Terrence Ross had 20 points, while Greivis Vasquez and Lou Williams each added 19 points for the Raptors, who have lost two straight. We had trouble with our rhythm at both ends of the court, said Raptors head coach Dwane Casey. We missed a lot of easy shots that we usually make. After Bryant and Lowry each made 1-of-2 from the foul line in the extra session, Wesley Johnsons 3-pointer rattled in and Bryant converted a three- point play to give the Lakers a 116-110 edge at 2:23. Jonas Valanciunas answered at the other end with a dunk, but Bryant hit another jumper and Jeremy Lin got his layup to go after Ross was whistled for goaltending as the hosts stretched the margin to eight. Ross made a 3 with 1:02 remaining in overtime to make it a two-possession game. However, the Lakers made their free throws down the stretch to hold on for the win. LLowrys free throws with 2 1/2 minutes left in the fourth gave the Raptors a 103-102 lead.dddddddddddd Jordan Hill followed by splitting a pair from the line, then Bryant converted a layup before driving the lane and kicking out to Nick Young, who buried a 3-pointer around a Valanciunas free throw for a 108-104 lead. Lowry cut the deficit in half with two more free throws and he assisted on Ross 3-ball that gave the Raptors a slim lead once again. Bryant tied the game, however, on a free throw with 34.9 seconds left. Lowry was called for an offensive foul after he hooked Ronnie Price on a drive to the basket, and Bryant lost the ball on the final possession of regulation when Valanciunas used the rule of verticality to stop him at the rim. Williams scored eight straight points for Toronto, the last of which coming on three free throws for a 91-85 lead with under 9 1/2 minutes left in the fourth. Robert Sacre was fouled as he canned a tough turn-around layup and hit the free throw to tie the game at 95-95. Bryant knocked down successive jumpers minutes later to push the Lakers in front by a 102-101 margin at 2:59 of the fourth. Prices 3-pointer prior to the buzzer in the third gave the Lakers an 81-80 lead entering the fourth. Bryant hit a jumper to close the first quarter and help Los Angeles to a 27-24 lead after 12 minutes. Young knocked down a 3-pointer to open the second and the Lakers never trailed in the quarter, taking a 58-49 lead into the break. Game Notes Hill had 16 points and 12 boards ... Patrick Patterson finished with 10 points and 13 rebounds in the setback ... There were 14 ties and 11 lead changes ... LA made 10-of-24 shots from beyond the arc, while Toronto made 9-of-34 shots from distance. 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