NBA roundup: LeBron, Lakers outlast Zion, Pels
LeBron James had a triple-double as the visiting Los Angeles Lakers overcame the absence of All-Star forward Anthony Davis and defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 122-114 on Sunday night.
Davis, who averaged 36 points as the Lakers won the first three meetings with his former team, sat out because of knee soreness one night after a 105-88 loss at Memphis in which L.A. had a season-low point total.
James, who had 40 points in a 118-109 home victory against the Pelicans on Tuesday, finished with 34 points, 13 assists and 12 rebounds. Kyle Kuzma added 20 points, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope scored 13, and Danny Green, Avery Bradley and Markieff Morris had 10 each.
Rookie Zion Williamson led the Pelicans with a career-high 35 points, marking his 11th consecutive game with 20-plus points. Lonzo Ball scored 19, Brandon Ingram had 15 on 5-of-23 shooting, Derrick Favors had 12 points and 14 rebounds, Jrue Holiday scored 11 and Nicolo Melli added 10.
Los Angeles Clippers 136 - Philadelphia 76ers 130
Kawhi Leonard scored 30 points, and Los Angeles rallied for a victory over visiting Philadelphia.
Paul George, Montrezl Harrell and Lou Williams each scored 24 points for the Clippers, who won their fourth in a row. Williams also had eight assists, while Harrell pulled down nine rebounds. Reggie Jackson added 13 points.
Shake Milton scored a career-high 39 points by making 7 of 9 3-pointers and 14 of 20 shots from the floor for the Sixers, who dropped their eighth straight on the road. Former Clipper Tobias Harris contributed 25 points, while Alec Burks added 15 points. The Sixers lost starting guard Josh Richardson early in the second quarter to a concussion after initially terming the injury a nose contusion.
Milwaukee Bucks 93 - Charlotte Hornets 85
Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 41 points to go with 20 rebounds as Milwaukee defeated host Charlotte.
Antetokounmpo sank 17 of 28 shots and added a team-high six assists and 18 rebounds. Brook Lopez added 16 points, and George Hill had 11 for the Bucks, who won their sixth straight.
Devonte’ Graham’s 17 points paced the Hornets, who had a two-game winning streak snapped. Terry Rozier had 13 points, P.J. Washington scored 12, Cody Martin had 11 and Willy Hernangomez added 10 points and 13 rebounds.
Denver Nuggets 133 - Toronto Raptors 118
Nikola Jokic had 23 points, 18 rebounds and 11 assists, Jamal Murray used a hot start to finish with 22 points, and host Denver beat Toronto.
Torrey Craig had a season-high 17 points off the bench, Jerami Grant scored 16 and Gary Harris finished with 15 for the Nuggets, who had eight players score in double figures.
OG Anunoby had a career-high 32 points, Norman Powell scored 24, Kyle Lowry added 17 and Pascal Siakam finished with 16 for Toronto. The Raptors have lost three straight for the first time in nearly three months. Dallas Mavericks 111 - Minnesota Timberwolves 91 Kristaps Porzingis scored 38 points, Seth Curry added 27 points, and Dallas beat Minnesota at Minneapolis.