LOS ANGELES — The New Jersey Nets matched the worst start to an NBA season with their 17th straight loss Sunday night, with Kobe Bryant scoring 30 points in the Los Angeles Lakers’ 106-87 victory.

A few hours after New Jersey fired coach Lawrence Frank, the undermanned Nets had little prayer of keeping up with the defending league champions, who won their sixth straight game.

Falling behind by 27 points in the first half despite clearly playing hard for temporary head coach Tom Barrise, the Nets matched the starts of the 1988-89 Miami Heat and the 1999 Los Angeles Clippers.

“I wish I could explain it,” said New Jersey guard Chris Douglas-Roberts, who only lost 10 games in his three collegiate seasons at Memphis. “There’s not really anything good out of this. I try to stay positive, but it’s extremely hard to stay positive. All the things going on, it’s depressing.”

New Jersey must beat the Dallas Mavericks back home in the East Rutherford swamp on Wednesday night — perhaps while playing for the club’s third coach in three games — to avoid sole possession of an embarrassing NBA record.

“I don’t want to be associated with it,” said Devin Harris, who scored 16 points for the Nets. “That’s one record you don’t ever want to be a part of.”

Also on Sunday:

Clippers 98

Grizzlies 88

LOS ANGELES — Eric Gordon scored 29 points and Los Angeles rallied from a 20-point deficit to beat Memphis, giving coach Mike Dunleavy his 600th regular-season victory. Al Thornton scored seven of his 18 points in the final 2:26 for the Clippers.

Pistons 94

Hawks 88

DETROIT — Ben Wallace had 18 rebounds, including 11 offensive boards, to help undermanned Detroit end a seven-game losing streak. Rodney Stuckey had 23 points and eight assists for the Pistons.

Suns 113

Raptors 94

TORONTO — Steve Nash had 20 points and 16 assists, Jason Richardson scored 22 points and Phoenix won its fourth straight. Amare Stoudemire had 18 points and Leandro Barbosa added 17.

Celtics 92

Heat 85

MIAMI — Kevin Garnett scored 24 points on 11 of 12 shooting, Ray Allen delivered the big blow with a three-pointer with 1:38 left and Boston rallied to beat Miami. Paul Pierce scored 15 points and Kendrick Perkins finished with 14 points and 13 rebounds for Boston.

Magic 114

Knicks 102

NEW YORK — Rashard Lewis scored 13 of his season-high 26 points in the third quarter and Orlando won its sixth straight on the road. Dwight Howard had 24 points and 16 rebounds for the Eastern Conference leaders.

Timberwolves 106

Nuggets 100

DENVER — Ryan Gomes scored 27 points to help Minnesota snap a 15-game losing streak. Corey Brewer and Jonny Flynn each scored 16 points in helping Minnesota rally from 17 points down.

Spurs 97

76ers 89

SAN ANTONIO — Tim Duncan scored 22 points, Tony Parker added 16 and San Antonio won its fifth straight. The Spurs extended their longest winning streak since last December, when they climbed back up the standings after a similar slow start last season.

Rockets 100

Thunder 91

OKLAHOMA CITY — Aaron Brooks scored 18 of his 21 points in the second half and Carl Landry had 21 points and 10 rebounds to lead Houston.

Kings 112

Hornets 96

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Sergio Rodriguez scored a career-high 24 points, Jason Thompson had 22 points and 14 rebounds and Sacramento won its third straight. Tyreke Evans had 14 points and Andres Nocioni and Beno Udrih each added 13 for the Kings.