NBA-Gasol shines on debut in Lakers win over Nets

NEW YORK, Feb 5 (Reuters) - Pau Gasol marked a successful debut for the Los Angeles Lakers by scoring 24 points and grabbing 12 rebounds in a 105-90 road victory over the New Jersey Nets on Tuesday.

Acquired from the Memphis Grizzlies last week, the Spanish forward-center sat out Sunday's contest because of a sore back but enjoyed a stellar first game on a night when Lakers All-Star Kobe Bryant managed just six points.

"I felt pretty comfortable," Gasol told reporters.

"I still don't have a lot of the wrinkles and details. It always makes the game much easier when five guys on the court know what they are doing."

Lakers coach Phil Jackson said he was "not surprised" at Gasol's output.

"He's a skilled player," the coach said of the seven-footer.

The 24 points by Gasol were the most scored by a debuting Lakers player since Magic Johnson had 26 in his first game as a rookie in 1979.

Bryant, playing the last three quarters with a dislocated right little finger, was 3-for-13 from the field and was held to single digits for the first time in over a year.

He also had seven turnovers while contributing eight assists and five rebounds and working well with Gasol, who also had four assists.

Derek Fisher weighed in with a season-high 28 points to help overcome the tough offensive night recorded by Bryant.

Vince Carter scored 27 points and Bostjan Nachbar had 19 points and 10 rebounds for the Nets.

* Cleveland's LeBron James took centre stage with 33 points, 12 assists and nine rebounds in a 114-113 home triumph over Boston as the Cavaliers recorded their second victory of the season over the Celtics, who lost despite shooting 57 percent.

"This is not how we want to win games, by giving up 50 percent shooting to our opponent on our home floor," James told reporters.

"But a win is a win for us and against a good team, a very defensive team. They're number one in every category and we did a good job offensively executing.

Zydruna Ilgauskas had 21 points and 10 rebounds and Larry Hughes 18 points in the win. Ray Allen had 24 points and the flu-ridden Pierce 19 for the Celtics.

The Celtics, who still own the best record in the NBA, were playing their fourth straight game without All-Star Kevin Garnett, who is nursing an abdominal strain.

* Tim Duncan had 19 points and 15 rebounds to lead the San Antonio Spurs to a 116-89 road triumph over the Indians Pacers, who lost their seventh straight game.

* The Philadelphia 76ers hit the visiting Washington Wizards with a 17-0 run in the fourth quarter to pull away for a 101-96 victory. * Mo Williams had 32 points and seven assists to lead the Milwaukee Bucks to a 102-97 road win over the Memphis Grizzlies. (Writing by Mike Shalin; Editing by John O'Brien)