Gary Payton returned to Seattle, but the final basket was scored by Ray Allen and the last shot was taken by Kobe Bryant.

``I love Seattle,'' Payton said after returning to his former home of 12{ NBA seasons. ``I was here for 12 years. It was nice to see they appreciated me.''

But they loved seeing him lose, too, as Seattle came away with a 111-109 victory Friday night despite Payton's season-high 24 points.

With the score tied at 109, Allen brought the ball downcourt, worked 10 seconds off the clock, swung around a screen and split two defenders for a layup with 5.8 seconds left.

Bryant, who scored 18 of his 32 points in the fourth period, missed a 3-pointer that would have won it at the buzzer.

In other games, Denver defeated Portland 106-96, New Jersey beat Cleveland 97-82, Milwaukee topped Dallas 109-101, Minnesota downed Atlanta 93-75, Detroit defeated Phoenix 93-81, Indiana downed Boston 103-90, Memphis beat Utah 100-88, Chicago edged New York 104-99, Miami defeated Orlando 112-101, New Orleans beat Toronto 86-74 and Washington topped Golden State 97-79.

Los Angeles didn't have Karl Malone, who hasn't played since Dec. 21 because of a sprained knee ligament, and lost Shaquille O'Neal early in the second quarter when a strained right calf flared up. His status for Sunday is unclear.

Payton, who joined the Lakers as a free agent last summer, remains Seattle's franchise leader in scoring, assists, steals, games played, minutes and several other statistical categories.

Payton was the first player introduced and received a standing ovation of just over a minute. Sonics chairman Howard Schultz, who feuded with Payton last season, stood to applaud from his courtside seat.

Fans and Sonics players broke into pandemonium when Rashard Lewis collected the rebound of Bryant's miss.

``It was amazing, with Gary on the floor and the atmosphere,'' Allen said. ``That why I play the game of basketball.''

Nuggets 106, Trail Blazers 96

At Portland, Ore., Voshon Lenard had 27 points and the Denver Nuggets, after squandering a first-half lead, came back in the fourth quarter.

The victory snapped a two-game losing streak for the Nuggets, who haven't lost three straight since an eight-game losing streak to finish last season.

Bulls 104, Knicks 99

At New York, Jamal Crawford scored 28 points and Kirk Hinrich added 19 as Chicago erased a double-digit deficit and snapped the short-handed Knicks' four-game winning streak.

After trailing by 10 points in the third quarter, the Bulls took their biggest lead, 98-91, on Crawford's jumper with 1:21 remaining. After Eddy Curry hit one of two free throws with 33.3 left. Shandon Anderson's driving layup attempt to tie the game went in and out.

Heat 112, Magic 101

At Miami, Eddie Jones scored a season-high 33 points, including four of Miami's 11 3-pointers.

Miami led 84-60 midway through the third quarter and 99-83 with 6{ minutes left. But Orlando trailed just 103-101 before the Heat scored the final nine points.

The Heat's point total was a season high.

Nets 97, Cavaliers 82

At East Rutherford, N.J., Jason Kidd had 26 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds and played a major part in limiting LeBron James to 14 points. James' point total was his lowest since scoring eight against Atlanta on Dec. 6.

Bucks 109, Mavericks 101

At Milwaukee, Michael Redd scored 21 points, including four in the final 22 seconds, as the Bucks tied a season-high in points. Dirk Nowitzki had 23 points for Dallas, whose three-game winning streak was snapped.

Timberwolves 93, Hawks 75

At Minneapolis, Kevin Garnett had 18 points and 15 rebounds and Sam Cassell had 15 points and 11 assists for the Timberwolves, who won their fifth straight at home and carried some momentum into the new year following a franchise-best 11-2 December.

Pistons 93, Suns 81

At Auburn. Hills, Mich., the Pistons extended their winning to four games and have not allowed 100 points in 33 games this season, tying the NBA record set by New York in 2000-01.

Pacers 103, Celtics 90

At Boston, Reggie Miller had three 3-pointers during a 13-0 run to start the fourth quarter as the Pacers recovered from a 15-point deficit.

Grizzlies 100, Jazz 88

At Memphis, Bonzi Wells scored 21 points and handed out six assists as Memphis ended its seven-game losing streak.

Raptors 86, Hornets 74

At Toronto, Baron Davis scored 22 points and New Orleans outrebounded Toronto 51-32.

Wizards 97, Warriors 79

At Washington, the Wizards snapped a five-game losing streak by awakening their dormant transition game to take control with a 19-4 third-quarter run.