Los Angeles Lakers forward Pao Gasol (center) loses the ball after getting it on the face from Chicago Bulls forward Joakim Noah during their NBA game Wednesday in Chicago. The Lakers won, 96-87. (REUTERS)

CHICAGO (AP) – Kobe Bryant scored a season-high 42 points as the Los Angeles Lakers won for the 12th time in 13 games, beating the fading Chicago Bulls 96-87 on Tuesday.

Down one through three quarters, the Lakers pulled away early in the fourth and sent Chicago to its 11th loss in 13 games.

Bryant was simply phenomenal even though he was wearing a splint on his broken right index finger. He was particularly good in the early going, scoring 20 points in the first quarter and 25 in the half.

Andrew Bynum added 11 points, Pau Gasol grabbed 16 rebounds, and Shannon Brown scored seven of his nine in the fourth as Los Angeles came away with the win.

Luol Deng scored 21 for Chicago and so did Derrick Rose even though he strained a left rib in the first quarter.

Brad Miller scored 15 and Joakim Noah added 11 points and 20 rebounds for his 11th double-double.

Cavaliers 99, Nets 89
At Cleveland, LeBron James had 23 points, six rebounds and seven assists while adding the role of peacemaker to his duties as Cleveland beat New Jersey.

The Nets' Devin Harris was ejected with 3:48 left in the game after committing a flagrant-2 foul on Cleveland's Jamario Moon.

Harris wrapped his arm around Moon's face and neck and pulled him to the ground while Moon was going up for a breakaway basket.

James wrapped his arms around Harris and tried to pull him away while restoring order as some of his teammates, including Shaquille O'Neal, began jawing and pushing their way toward Harris.

No punches were thrown and Harris was the only player ejected.

Brook Lopez had 22 points and 15 rebounds for New Jersey. Harris had 22 points and reserve Rafer Alston had 20 points.

Heat 115, Raptors 95
At Miami, Michael Beasley tied his career high with 28 points and Dwyane Wade added 19 while sitting out the entire fourth quarter as Miami won at home for the first time in more than three weeks.

Beasley added 11 rebounds for the Heat, who snapped a four-game home slide. Dorell Wright had 16 points and eight rebounds off the bench for Miami.

Chris Bosh scored 28 points on 9-of-13 shooting for Toronto.

Bobcats 94, Knicks 87
At Charlotte, North Carolina, Stephen Jackson scored 24 points and sparked Charlotte's 15-2 run to end the game and stop New York's season-high four-game winning streak.

Gerald Wallace had 21 points and Raymond Felton scored 18, including two driving layups in Charlotte's game-closing run to snap a two-game skid.

Chris Duhon had 18 points for the Knicks.

Wednesday’s NBA results
Charlotte 94, New York 87
Cleveland 99, New Jersey 89
Miami 115, Toronto 95
LA Lakers 96, Chicago 87
Houston 107, Detroit 96
Phoenix 116, San Antonio 104
Portland 95, Sacramento 88