James suffers worst defeat of career as 76ers rout Lakers
PHILADELPHIA — Lebron James never endured a lopsided basketball defeat like the one he suffered with the Los Angeles Lakers in Philadelphia. This blowout was an all-timer: By the time Joel Embiid clinched a triple-double in the third quarter, the 76ers were on their way to a 138-94 win over the Lakers on Monday night, the 44-point loss now the worst in James’ career that dates to 2003. Embiid had 30 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists to lead the way.
The reigning NBA MVP, Embiid notched his sixth career triple-double with 2 minutes left in the third quarter. It was Embiid’s first of the season and his seventh career game with 10plus assists.
James scored 18 points in 29 minutes. He has now played more minutes than any player in
NBA history, with playoff time included.
Tyrese Maxey scored 31 points for the 76ers. Anthony Davis had 17 points and 11 rebounds for the Lakers.
Embiid sat out the entire fourth quarter and the 76ers still outscored the Lakers 40-14.
The 76ers opened the game 3-point happy and hit 13 from behind the arc, a season high for a half, as they stretched the lead to 25.
Maxey hit four, Patrick Beverley hit three in the half and Marcus Morris Sr. went 3 for 3. Embiid buried one for a 64-39 lead.
The Lakers missed 7 of 10 3s in the half. The 76ers won their second straight after a twogame losing streak
■ Nuggets 113, Clippers 104: At Los
Angeles, Reggie Jackson had 35 points and 13 assists for Denver, which was without Jamal Murray, Nikola Jokic and Aaron Gordon.
■ Trail Blazers 114, Pacers 110: At Indianapolis, Jerami Grant had 34 points and seven rebounds, and Malcolm Brogdon added 24 points for Portland, including a game-sealing basket in the closing seconds.
■ Jazz 114, Pelicans 112: At Salt Lake City, Keyonte George scored a season-high 19 points for Utah, which beat New Orleans for the fifth straight time and second time in three days.
■ Wizards 126,, Pistons 107: At Detroit,
Kyle Kuzma had 32 points and 12 rebounds as Washington ended a nine-game losing streak. Detroit has lost 14 straight.