James, Kuzma help L.A. beat back Timberwolves
Rose pours in 31, but misses 3 to take lead
LOS ANGELES — Lebron James had 24 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists, and Kyle Kuzma scored six of his 21 points in the final minutes of the Los Angeles Lakers’ 114-110 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday.
Josh Hart scored 21 points and Brandon Ingram added 20 for the Lakers, who avenged a loss at Minnesota nine days earlier with a tenacious finish at Staples Center.
Kuzma’s fourth 3-pointer put the Lakers up 111-104 with 1:51 to play for their biggest lead of the night. Derrick Rose, who had 31 points, promptly hit back-to-back 3-pointers for the Wolves, trimming the lead to one with 1:06 left.
Kuzma hit one of two free throws with 9.5 seconds left after two huge offensive rebounds by Tyson Chandler, who had nine boards in an auspicious Lakers debut. Rose missed a 3 under heavy defensive pressure from Chandler, and Hart hit two free throws to seal it.
At Sacramento, Calif., Kawhi Leonard had 25 points and 11 rebounds in his return from an ankle injury, and Toronto improved the NBA’S best record to 11-1.
At Memphis, Tenn., Marc Gasol scored 20 points, including the go-ahead free throws with 4.6 seconds remaining, to lead the Grizzlies past Denver.
At New Orleans, Anthony Davis had 32 points, 15 rebounds and four blocks in his best game since spraining his right elbow nearly two weeks ago, and the Pelicans ended a six-game skid.
At Cleveland, Dennis Schroder scored a season-high 28 points in replacing injured star Russell Westbrook, and Oklahoma City beat the Cavaliers.
Raptors 114, Kings 105 — Grizzlies 89, Nuggets 87 — Pelicans 107, Bulls 98 — Thunder 95, Cavaliers 86 — Heat 95, Spurs 88 —
At Miami, Hassan Whiteside had 29 points, 20 rebounds and an NBA season-high nine blocked shots, and Miami snapped a four-year drought against San Antonio. Dwyane Wade missed the game for personal reasons.
At Orlando, Fla., Andre Drummond had 23 points and 19 rebounds, and Detroit snapped a five-game losing streak.
At Indianapolis, Joel Embiid scored 20 points, and Ben Simmons had 16 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists to lead Philadelphia to its first road victory of the season.
At Salt Lake City, Donovan Mitchell scored 23 points in his return from an ankle injury, and Utah ended a four-game skid.
At Atlanta, Tim Hardaway Jr. scored 27 of his 34 points in the second half, reserve Enes Kanter added 17 points and 11 rebounds, and New York beat the Hawks.
Pistons 103, Magic 96 — 76ers 100, Pacers 94 — Jazz 117, Mavericks 102 — Knicks 112, Hawks 107 —