Sacramento at Minnesota (7:30 p.m. EST). The Kings (38-13) lead the Pacific Division, and the Timberwolves (38-15) are in first place in the Midwest Division.

STARS

Wednesday

_ Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal, Lakers, scored 35 and 31 points, respectively, to lead the Lakers to a 100-99 win over Golden State.

_ Tim Duncan, Spurs, had 26 points and 21 rebounds in an 86-82 win over Toronto.

_ Tracy McGrady, Magic, scored 43 points to lead Orlando to a 90-77 victory over Utah.

_ Jason Kidd, Nets, had 15 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists in a 98-92 win over Atlanta.

_ Baron Davis, Hornets, had 23 points and 13 assists to lead New Orleans to a 120-98 win over Washington.

_ Steve Nash, Mavericks, had 20 points and 10 assists in a 114-98 victory over Cleveland.

TOP DOG

Nets coach Lawrence Frank set an NBA record for most consecutive wins to start a coaching career with 10 with a 98-92 win over the Hawks on Wednesday night. Frank surpassed the record set by former Lakers coach Kurt Rambis and former Baltimore Bullets coach Buddy Jeannette.

RUMBLE IN OAKLAND

The Lakers' 100-99 win over the Warriors on Wednesday night was marred by a tussle between the Lakers' Gary Payton and Warriors' Speedy Claxton. The two had to be separated by teammates and coaches in a third-quarter scrum that led to Payton's ejection. Kobe Bryant led the Lakers with 35 points and eight assists in the win.

STRONG IN DEFEAT

Cleveland's Carlos Boozer had 24 points and 14 rebounds in a 114-98 loss to the Mavericks on Wednesday night. ... The Hawks' Stephen Jackson had 25 points, seven rebounds, and six assists in a 98-92 loss to the Nets.

EASTERN EXPOSURE

Mavericks assistant coach Del Harris was hired as coach of the Chinese national team for the Athens Olympics. Rolando Blackman, the Mavericks' director of player development, will be an assistant.

CHILD'S PLAY

New Jersey's Jason Kidd recorded his 58th career triple-double Wednesday night with 15 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists in a 98-92 win over the Hawks.

GLASS MASTER

San Antonio's Tim Duncan tied a season-high with 21 rebounds in an 86-82 win over the Raptors Wednesday night. Duncan had previously 21 rebounds Oct. 29 against Denver.

REELING RAPTORS

Toronto's Vince Carter injured his left ankle with 7:46 left in the fourth quarter in an 86-82 loss to the Spurs on Wednesday night, and didn't return. The Raptors also lost center Chris Bosh for the game after he re-sprained his left ankle in the first half.

SPEAKING

``Pick and roll is really pick and roll in any language.'' _ Mavericks assistant coach Del Harris, hired as coach of the Chinese national team for the Athens Olympics on Wednesday.