New Jersey Nets have equalled the record for the worst start to an NBA season with a 106-87 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers.

Not even the dismissal of coach Lawrence Frank can save them.

Frank was shown the door just hours before the Nets took to the court, but 30 points from Lakers guard Kobe Bryant ensured they came out on the losing side for the 17th time in a row.

Brook Lopez had 26 points and 12 rebounds for New Jersey but it was not enough.

A game-high 32 points for Carmelo Anthony also came to nothing for the Denver Nuggets as the Minnesota Timberwolves ripped up the form book with a 106-100 win.

Ryan Gomes had 27 points for the Timberwolves, who built on a 31-12 run in the third period to snap a 15-game losing streak and end Denver's run of four successive wins.

Tim Duncan poured in 22 points for the San Antonio Spurs, who stretched their winning streak to five with a 97-89 result against the Philadelphia 76ers.

Andre Iguodala's 21 points proved in vain as Philadelphia suffered their sixth defeat on the bounce.

The Phoenix Suns posted their fourth straight victory, beating the Toronto Raptors 113-94.

Steve Nash led the Suns with 20 points and 16 assists, while Jason Richardson also poured in 22 points for the winners.

Kevin Garnett helped Boston on their way to a fourth straight win. The forward had 24 points and eight rebounds as the Celtics overcame the Miami Heat 92-85

The New York Knicks slumped to their fifth successive loss with a 114-102 result at the hands of the Orlando Magic. Dwight Howard was the key player for Orlando with 20 points and 14 rebounds.

The Houston Rockets snapped a two-game losing streak with a 100-91 success over Oklahoma City. Houston overturned a 54-45 half-time deficit with Aaron Brooks and Carl Landry netting 21 points apiece.

Sergio Rodriguez led the Sacramento Kings with 24 points and five assists in their 112-96 success over the New Orleans Hornets.

The Los Angeles Clippers ran out 98-88 winners over the Memphis Grizzlies with a game-high 29 points from Eric Gordon.

Rodney Stuckey scored 23 points and dished out eight assists for the Detroit Pistons as they saw off the challenge of the Atlanta Hawks, 94-88.