--Elton Brand, 76ers, hit a 15-footer with 57 seconds left and finished with 17 points in his first game against his former Clippers teammates, leading Philadelphia to an 89-88 victory over Los Angeles.
--Kobe Bryant, Lakers, scored 11 of his 29 points in the third quarter before sitting out the fourth in Los Angeles' 104-90 victory over Denver. --Vince Carter and Devin Harris, Nets. Carter scored 39 points against his former team, and Harris added 30 in New Jersey's 129-127 overtime win over Toronto.
--Dwight Howard, Magic, had 24 points, 17 rebounds and five blocks in Orlando's 100-98 overtime victory over Indiana.
--Larry Hughes, Derrick Rose and Drew Gooden, Bulls. Hughes made five 3-pointers and finished with 26 points, Rose scored 23 of his 25 points in the second half, and Gooden had 18 points and 16 rebounds in Chicago's 115-110 victory over Golden State.
--Roger Mason, Spurs, scored 29 points in San Antonio's 119-94 win over Utah.
--Joe Johnson, Hawks, had 30 points in Atlanta's 88-83 victory over Charlotte.
SWAPS
New York traded Zach Randolph and Jamal Crawford on Friday, parting with their two top scorers to free up coveted salary-cap space for the summer of 2010. Crawford was sent to Golden State for Al Harrington. Hours later, Randolph was shipped to the Los Angeles Clippers along with Mardy Collins for Cuttino Mobley and Tim Thomas.
SWEET HOMECOMINGS
Kevin Garnett scored 17 points on 8-for-12 shooting in his first game in Minnesota since being traded to Boston before last season, helping the Celtics beat the Timberwolves 95-78 on Friday night. Garnett played 12 seasons for Minnesota. ... The New Orleans HorNets made a triumphant return to Oklahoma City, routing the Thunder 105-80. The HorNets spent two seasons in Oklahoma City after they were displaced by Hurricane Katrina in August 2005.
SIDELINED
Utah forward Carlos Boozer sat out the Jazz's game Friday night against San Antonio because of a left quadriceps strain. ... Manu Ginobili could return to the San Antonio Spurs' lineup next week, earlier than expected after he had surgery on his left ankle in September to repair ligament damage.
SLUMPS
Oklahoma City fell to an NBA -worst 1-12 with its 105-80 loss to New Orleans on Friday night. ... Houston beat Washington 103-91 to drop the Wizards to 1-9, the franchise's worst start since the 1966 Baltimore Bullets opened 1-10.
SPEAKING
"It's always good to go somewhere and feel the love in the building. It's even better to win in the place I used to play. It was a good feeling. There was a lot of great energy in the building. I was just blessed that the people came out, so thank you, fans." -- Kevin Garnett after his first game in Minnesota since being traded to Boston before last season. Garnett had 17 points on 8-for-12 in the Celtics' 95-78 victory over the Timberwolves on Friday night.
