The Los Angeles Lakers won an eighth straight game by beating the Denver Nuggets 116-102 on Thursday, giving them a share of the overall NBA lead.

Kobe Bryant scored 33 points and Pau Gasol added 27 points and 19 rebounds as the Lakers moved level with Cleveland for the league lead.

Los Angeles also welcomed back centre Andrew Bynum, playing in his first game since tearing knee ligaments in January. He had 16 points and seven rebounds.

The Nuggets lost for the first time in nine games and did not take their first opportunity to secure the number-two seed in the Western Conference.

Play-off spot

In Chicago, the hosts closed in on a play-off spot by downing Philadelphia 76ers 113-99.

Ben Gordon and Tyrus Thomas each scored 24 points for the Bulls, who now need only one more win or Charlotte to have one more loss to wrap up a spot in the play-offs.

Chicago also moved half a game ahead of Detroit in the Eastern Conference standings.

Thomas set a season-high for points while converting a career-best 14 of 14 free throws. He scored 10 points in the third quarter and Gordon added seven as the Bulls turned a half-time tie into an 82-72 lead before pulling away for their 13th home win in 14 games.

The loss was the third straight for Philadelphia, who are already assured of a play-off spot.