LeBron gets closer to scoring mark; Lakers lose
NEW ORLEANS — LeBron James moved 36 points away from breaking the NBA career scoring record in the Los Angeles Lakers’ 131-126 loss to New Orleans on Saturday night that ended the Pelicans’ losing streak at 10 games.
James had 27 points to go with nine rebounds and six assists as he continued to close in on Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s record total of 38,387 points.
Brandon Ingram scored 35 points for the Pelicans.
Anthony Davis had 34 points and 14 rebounds for the Lakers.
NETS 125, WIZARDS 123: In New York, Cam Thomas scored a careerhigh 44 points off the bench and shorthanded Brooklyn overcame a 23-point deficit to beat Washington.
The Nets, who also played without Kevin Durant (right knee MCL sprain), T.J. Warren (left shin contusion) and Ben Simmons (left knee soreness), also lost Seth Curry (left adductor) and Markieff Morris (sore left knee) in the game.
Kristaps Porzingis led the Wizards with 38 points.
SUNS 116, PISTONS 100: In Detroit, Deandre Ayton had 31 points and 16 rebounds to help Phoenix beat Detroit.
Mikal Bridges scored 24 points, Cameron Johnson had 20 points and Torrey Craig added 14 points for Phoenix. Saddiq Bey had 25 points for Detroit.
CLIPPERS 134, KNICKS 128, OT: In New York, Kawhi Leonard scored 35 points, Paul George added 30 and Los Angeles beat New York in overtime.
After the Clippers lost a 17-point fourth quarter lead, Nicolas Batum’s 3-pointer at the regulation buzzer tied it at 115.
Jalen Brunson, who returned after missing a game due to a non-COVID illness, led the Knicks with 41 points. Julius Randle had 28.
THUNDER 153, ROCKETS 121: In Oklahoma City, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 42 points and Oklahoma City set a Thunder record for points to rout Houston. Josh Christopher and TyTy Washington each scored 20 points for Houston.
BULLS 129, TRAIL BLAZERS 121: In Chicago, Zach LaVine scored 36 points, DeMar DeRozan had 27 and Chicago topped Damian Lillard and Portland. Nikola Vucevic added 23 points and 11 rebounds as Chicago erased a 17-point deficit in the second half.
BUCKS 123, HEAT 115: In Milwaukee,
Giannis Antetokounmpo had a tripledouble with 35 points, 15 rebounds and 11 assists and Milwaukee beat shorthanded Miami for its seventh straight victory. Jimmy Butler scored 32 points and Tyler Herro added 24 for the Heat, who had just nine available players.
WARRIORS 119 MAVERICKS 113: In San Francisco, Stephen Curry had 21 points, seven assists and six rebounds before injuring his left leg defending a drive and Golden State beat an undermanned Dallas team missing injured star Luka Doncic.
Spencer Dinwiddie scored 25 points for Dallas. Doncic bruised his right heel in the third quarter of 111-106 home victory against New Orleans on Thursday night.
NUGGETS 128, HAWKS 108: In Denver, Jamal Murray scored a season-high 41 points, Nikola Jokic had his 18th triple-double of the season and the Nuggets won their third straight game.
Jokic finished with 14 points, 18 rebounds and 10 assists and recorded the 94th regular-season triple-double of his career. Dejounte Murray scored 28 points to lead the Hawks. Guard Trae Young sat out with what was described as a non-COVID illness.