Lakers’ late surge downs Pacers
Kyle Kuzma scored 15 of his 24 points in the fourth quarter, Lebron James added 18 points and 10 assists, and the Los Angeles Lakers rallied late for a 105-100 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Friday night.
Montrezl Harrell had 17 points and Kuzma added 13 rebounds as the defending NBA champions returned from the All-star break with just their fourth win in 11 games.
Los Angeles trailed by 12 points early in the fourth quarter before Kuzma led a ferocious 22-4 run to keep the Pacers winless against the Lakers at Staples Center since November 2015.
Malcolm Brogdon scored 23 of his 29 points in the first half for the Pacers, who opened a three-game road trip with their 11th loss in 16 games. Domantas Sabonis added 20 points, 14 rebounds and eight assists.
The Pacers still had the ball at midcourt down 103-100 with 9.9 seconds left, but Kentavious Caldwell-pope stole Brogdon’s inbounds pass and hit two free throws to ice it.
76ers 127, Wizards 101:
At Washington, Joel Embiid had 23 points and seven rebounds but departed midway through the third quarter following an apparent leg injury. Russell Westbrook scored 25 points and Bradley Beal added 19 for Washington.
Pelicans 116, Cavaliers 82:
At New Orleans, Brandon Ingram scored 28 points, Zion Williamson added 23 for New Orleans. Collin Sexton scored 19 points for Cleveland.
Nuggets 103, Grizzlies 102:
At Memphis, Tenn., Nikola Jokic had 28 points, 15 rebounds and seven assists and scored Denver’s final five points. Brandon Clarke and Findlay Prep alumni Dillon Brooks led Memphis with 20 points each.
Spurs 104, Magic 77:
At San Antonio, Rudy Gay had 19 points, Dejounte Murray and Derrick White each added 17 for San Antonio. Nikola Vucevic had 26 points and nine rebounds for Orlando in its seventh straight loss.
Heat 101, Bulls 90:
At Chicago, Jimmy Butler scored 28 points against his former team and Goran Dragic added 20 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter. Zach Lavine led Chicago with 30 points.
Jazz 114, Rockets 99:
At Salt Lake City, Donovan Mitchell had 28 points, eight assists and seven rebounds for Utah. Kevin Porter Jr. scored 27 points for Houston.