CHICAGO — Whether he was in the trainers' room or on the court, Kobe Bryant couldn't escape the pain. He did a better job avoiding defenders.

Bryant scored a season-high 42 points despite a broken right index finger, and the Los Angeles Lakers won for the 12th time in 13 games, beating the Chicago Bulls, 96-87, yesterday.

"This is the most challenging one," Bryant said. "I've played with sore ankles, broken knuckles and things like that. It's tough, it affects my follow through."

Rockets 107, Pistons 96: Tracy McGrady sank a 3-pointer in his season debut after knee surgery, Luis Scola and Aaron Brooks scored 23 points apiece and host Houston snapped Detroit's five-game winning streak.

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

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

Suns 116, Spurs 104: Amare Stoudemire had 28 points and 14 rebounds, and reserve Goran Dragic contributed a career-high 18 points as Phoenix improved to 9-0 at home.

Trail Blazers 95, Kings 88: LaMarcus Aldridge finished with 25 points and nine rebounds as host Portland beat Sacramento. Tyreke Evans had 19 points for the Kings.

Cavaliers 99, Nets 89: LeBron James had 23 points, six rebounds and seven assists for host Cleveland. Brook Lopez had 22 points and 15 rebounds for New Jersey.