Los Angeles loses Odom, holds off Rockets

Kobe Bryant had 23 points and the Los Angeles Lakers overcame the loss of Lamar Odom to beat the Houston Rockets 102-94 Tuesday in Houston.

Luke Walton added 18 points and seven assists for the Lakers, who snapped Houston’s six-game home winning streak.

The Rockets played without Tracy McGrady, who is out indefinitely with back spasms.

Houston nearly staged a miraculous comeback in the fourth quarter – outscoring the Lakers 24-1 to cut a 25-point lead to two points.

Odom sprained his right knee in the first quarter and Lakers coach Phil Jackson said he might be out for more than a month.

Warriors 126, Kings 113: At Oakland, Calif., Matt Barnes set career highs with 32 points and 11 rebounds, and Andris Biedrins added 20 points and 14 rebounds to lead Golden State to a victory over Sacramento.

Kevin Martin scored 32 to lead the Kings.

Nuggets 100, Hawks 87: At Atlanta, Carmelo Anthony scored 26 points, Earl Boykins added 19 and Denver beat the Hawks.

Around the league

The NBA will scrap its new microfiber composite ball and bring back the old leather one beginning Jan. 1. … Dwyane Wade had two wisdom teeth removed and the Miami Heat’s star guard will miss tonight’s game against Phoenix.