James, Davis help Lakers defeat Pelicans for 5th straight victory
Bucks survive shaky free-throw shooting to edge Mavs 112-109
LOS ANGELES, Jan 16, (AP): LeBron James had 21 points, 11 assists and eight rebounds, and Anthony Davis added 17 points against his former team in the Los Angeles Lakers’ fifth consecutive victory, 112-95 over the New Orleans Pelicans.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope hit four 3-pointers while scoring 16 points, and Montrezl Harrell also had 16 for the defending NBA champions. The Lakers remained unbeaten in five meetings with the Pelicans since the franchisealtering trade in July 2019 that sent Davis to LA and three starters to New Orleans.
Brandon Ingram scored 17 of his 20 points in the first half against his former team for the Pelicans, who have lost five straight. Zion Williamson had 21 points and 12 rebounds after missing Wednesday’s game against the Clippers due to the NBA’s health and safety protocols, but New Orleans blew an early 15-point lead on its third stop on a seven-game trip.
Bucks 112, Mavericks 109
In Milwaukee, Giannis Antetokounmpo overcame poor free-throw shooting to score 31 points, Khris Middleton hit two late 3-pointers and Milwaukee Bucks held off Dallas.
The Bucks improved to 9-4, winning their fourth straight and snapping the Mavericks’ winning streak at four.
Both teams wasted plenty of opportunities from the foul line. The Bucks were 12 of 25 on free throws, with Antetokounmpo going 1 of 10. Dallas was 6 of 13.
Celtics 124, Magic 97
In Boston, Jaylen Brown had 21 points and eight assists, Semi Ojeleye added 18 points and Boston rolled past Orlando in the Celtics’ return following a virus-related week-long hiatus.
Jeff Teague had 17 points, and rookie Payton Pritchard added 16 points to help Boston post its fifth straight victory.
Boston returned after having three games postponed due to players testing positive for the coronavirus and others being ruled out because contact tracing showed that they could have been exposed to it.
Thunder 127, Bulls 125, OT
In Oklahoma City, Shai GilgeousAlexander scored a career-high 33 points to help Oklahoma City beat Chicago and former Thunder coach Billy Donovan in overtime.
Oklahoma City rallied from 22 points down in the second half. Zach LaVine, who led the Bulls with 35 points, could have won it in overtime but he missed a deep, off-balance 3-pointer in the closing seconds.
Lu Dort scored 21 points for the Thunder. They won for the first time at home this season.
Clippers 139, Kings 100
In Sacramento, California, Kawhi Leonard had 27 points and six assists in three quarters, Paul George scored 26 points and short-handed Los Angeles manhandled Sacramento.
The Clippers have won 15 consecutive
BASKETBALL
road games against the Kings. Los Angeles hasn’t lost in Sacramento since March 19, 2013.
Playing without guards Patrick Beverley (personal reasons) and Lou Williams (sore left hip), the Clippers led by eight at halftime and broke the game open in the third quarter when they outscored the Kings 37-16.
Cavaliers 106, Knicks 103
In Cleveland, Andre Drummond tied his career high with 33 points and grabbed 23 rebounds, and Cedi Osman scored 25 points in Cleveland’s victory over New York.
Drummond had the Cavaliers’ first 30-20 game since Carlos Boozer had 32 points and 20 rebounds against Seattle on Jan. 20, 2004. He also had three assists, two blocks and two steals to help Cleveland snap a three-game losing streak.
Jazz 116, Hawks 92
In Salt Lake City, Donovan Mitchell made six 3-pointers on his way to 26 points and Utah used a 21-0 secondhalf run to power past Atlanta.
Bojan Bogdanovic scored 17 points, Rudy Gobert had 15 points and 13 rebounds, and Jordan Clarkson scored all 16 of his points in the second half to boost the Jazz to their fourth straight victory.