LeBron’s third triple-double lifts Lakers
LOS ANGELES: LeBron James scored 30 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and passed off 11 assists on Tuesday, leading the Los Angeles Lakers to a 118-112 comeback NBA victory at Chicago with his third consecutive triple double.
Anthony Davis produced a seasonlow 15 points on 6-of-15 shooting with seven rebounds in a return to his hometown, but James surged in the final minutes as the Lakers unleashed a 29-4 fourth-quarter run.
It was only the third time in James’s career that he has produced three consecutive triple doubles after 2009 and 2017.
The Lakers improved to an NBAbest 6-1 with a third straight road win, having won six in a row since losing their opener to the Los Angeles Clippers.
“For us to come on a three-game road trip and take care of business means a lot,” James said. “For us to come out 3-0, it’s a good test for us.”
The Lakers return home for a Friday game against Miami, who fell to 5-2 with a 109-89 loss at Denver.
“We’ll have a good rest and we’re going to need it before we play Miami,” James said.
The Lakers, the NBA’s top defensive club, captured their sixth straight meeting with Chicago, matching the club’s longest active run against any rivals.
The Bulls, paced by Zach LaVine’s 26 points, led 65-48 at half-time and were up by as much as 19 in the first half and 18 in the third quarter before the fightback began.
Los Angeles trimmed the deficit to 93-80 after three quarters, then began the fourth with a 16-0 run sparked by reserves, with Quinn Cook’s three-pointer for a 94-93 lead putting the Lakers back on top for the first time since the middle of the first quarter.
“Our bench is going to be key for us. Our depth has been a good ingredient for us,” James said.
The Lakers outscored Chicago 38-19 in the fourth quarter and looked like the dominant team James hopes can reach the NBA Finals.
They will face another test tomorrow against a Miami team that was blown out at Denver. Jamal Murray scored 21 points to lead six Nuggets in double figures while Jimmy Butler led Miami with 16 points.
Gordon Hayward scored 39 points, his most in a Boston uniform, and added seven rebounds and eight assists for the Celtics in a 119-113 victory at Cleveland.
Hayward shot 17-of-20 from the floor including 16-of-16 from two-point range — becoming the first player since Wilt Chamberlain in 1967 to sink so many two-pointers in a game without a miss.
Kemba Walker contributed 25 points and eight rebounds for the Celtics, who improved to 5-1.
Atlanta’s Trae Young returned from an ankle injury and produced game highs of 29 points and 13 assists to lead hosts Hawks over San Antonio 108-100.
Charlotte’s Devonte Graham scored a game-high 35 points off the bench, including two game-winning free throws with 1.7 seconds to play in overtime, as the Hornets edged visiting Indiana 122-120.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 24 points to lead Oklahoma City over visiting Orlando 102-94.