James returns to action, but Lakers lose to Celtics
Jayson Tatum scored 37 points and the Boston Celtics beat Los Angeles 130-108 on Friday night in LeBron James’ return to the Lakers’ lineup.
Marcus Smart had 22 points and Dennis Schroder 21 for Boston (8-8), which climbed back to .500. Tatum had 11 rebounds and Al Horford added 18 points.
Anthony Davis led Los Angeles with 31 points and James finished with 23 in 32 minutes. They each had six rebounds and two assists.
James had missed eight games with an abdominal strain, and the Lakers went 3-5 while he was sidelined. They’ve lost their last four road games.
The Celtics led by 11 points entering the final quarter and opened a 10994 lead on Tatum’s threepoint play with 6:59 remaining. His 3-pointer from the left corner increased it to 116-99 with 5:02 to go.
James’ first basket came on a thundering dunk off a drive down the lane 2 ½ minutes into the game.
Boston erased a 14-point deficit in the second quarter and took the lead before James’ fast-break layup gave the Lakers a 6160 halftime edge. PELICANS 94, CLIPPERS 81 >> Jonas Valanciunas had 26 points and 13 rebounds and the New Orleans Pelicans overcame a 20-point first-half deficit to beat the Los Angeles Clippers.
Josh Hart had 19 points, 10 rebounds and two steals. Brandon Ingram had 17 points and 12 rebounds, and Kira Lewis Jr. added 16 points to help New Orleans win for just the third time in 17 games this season.
Los Angeles star Paul George scored 19 points. BUCKS 96, THUNDER 89 >> Giannis Antetokounmpo had 21 points, 19 rebounds and seven assists and the Milwaukee Bucks withstood Oklahoma City’s comeback attempt and to beat the Thunder.
Bobby Portis had 17 points and 13 rebounds for the Bucks. Khris Middleton added 16 points, George Hill 12, Grayson Allen 11 and Jrue Holiday 10.
Gilgeous-Alexander led Oklahoma City with 17 points.
NETS 115, MAGIC 113 >> James Harden had 36 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists, and the Brooklyn Nets overcame a 19-point deficit and the absence of Kevin Durant to beat the Orlando Magic.
Durant did not play due to a right shoulder sprain.
Harden was 19 for 20 from the free throw line. Patty Mills added 22 points and LaMarcus Aldridge had 11 of his 15 in the fourth quarter.
Jalen Suggs scored 21, while Franz Wagner and Chuma Okeke each had 17 for the Magic.
HORNETS 121, PACERS 118 >> LaMelo Ball had a seasonhigh 32 points along with 11 rebounds and eight assists and Charlotte held off Indiana for its fifth straight victory.
Jeremy Lamb had 23 points for Indiana, and Malcolm Brogdon added 16 points. The Pacers lost all three of their games on a trip to fall to 2-9 overall.
CAVS’ SEXTON DONE FOR SEASON AFTER KNEE SURGERY >> Cavaliers guard Collin Sexton’s season is over after surgery to repair torn cartilage in his left knee.
Cleveland’s leading scorer hurt his knee on Nov. 7 in a game against the New York Knicks. The Cavs didn’t provide an update until Friday, when they said Sexton underwent surgery on Wednesday in Atlanta.