Basketball: LA Lakers makes it into the play-off

The Los Angeles Lakers finally moved into the play-off with a 90-81 victory over the Chicago Bulls at the Staples Center.

Dwight Howard hauled in 21 rebounds as well as scoring 16 points and blocking four shots, while five other members of the Lakers scored in double figures.

The injury-hit Bulls battled hard but were ultimately outclassed, even though Joakim Noah impressed with 18 points and 17 rebounds and British star Luol Deng contributed 11 points and eight rebounds to the losing effort.