Lakers lose three straight games

The Los Angeles Lakers lost for the third successive game as they were edged out 96-94 by the Orlando Magic.

(Photo)Kobe Bryant is all gloom as he watched his side slumped to a third successive loss

The Lakers, who still top the Western Conference, were led in the scoring stakes by Kobe Bryant's game-high 34 points.

But the Magic, second in the Eastern Conference, inched over the winning line, aided by 25 points from Vince Carter.

A 25-point haul from Ray Allen pushed the Boston Celtics to an 86-83 victory over the Washington Wizards, while Thaddeus Young's 32 points helped the Philadelphia 76ers finish as emphatic 114-101 victors against the Toronto Raptors.

The Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Sacramento Kings 108-102, with 27 points from Kevin Durant, while Tayshaun Prince scored 29 for the Detroit Pistons in a 110-107 victory over the Houston Rockets.

Carmelo Anthony scored 30 points for the Denver Nuggets in their 118-106 win against the Portland Trail Blazers.