Strong second half lifts Lakers to first win
LOS ANGELES — Anthony Davis scored 28 points and LeBron James had 22 while becoming the second-leading Christmas scorer in NBA history during the Los Angeles Lakers’ 138-115 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Friday night.
Montrezl Harrell scored 17 of his 22 points in the second half, and Dennis Schroder had 18 points and six assists in a second strong game for both new additions to the NBA champions. Los Angeles outrebounded Dallas 53-27 and closed out its first win of the season with a dominant fourth quarter.
Luka Doncic had 27 points and seven assists in his first starring role in the NBA’s showcase Christmas evening game for Dallas. Josh Richardson and Trey Burke had 17 points apiece as the Mavs started 0-2 with a late fade at Staples Center.
James moved into second place behind Kobe Bryant for the most points scored on Christmas, passing Oscar Robertson in the third quarter. James has 383 points in 15 games on Christmas, while Bryant had 395 in 16 holiday appearances.
The Lakers were aggressive and accurate from the opening tip, taking a 69-57 halftime lead while hitting 61.4 percent of their shots.
BUCKS 138, WARRIORS 99
In Milwaukee, Khris Middleton scored 31 points, and Milwaukee won its first Christmas Day home game in over half a century.
Middleton went 10 of 15 overall and 6 for 8 from 3-point range, leading a strong performance from deep for his team. He totaled 58 points in his first two games of the season.
Milwaukee was 20 of 37 on 3-point attempts, while Golden State was 10 of 45.
Giannis Antetkounmpo had 15 points and 13 re
bounds.
Stephen Curry scored 19 points for Golden State, and rookie James Wiseman had 18. Andrew Wiggins had 12. Jordan Poole and Brad Wanamaker added 11 each.
NETS 123, CELTICS 95
In Boston, Kyrie Irving scored 37 points in his return to Boston, and
Kevin Durant added 29, leading Brooklyn to victory.
Jarrett Allen added 11 rebounds for the Nets, who remained perfect so far this season and sent Boston to its first loss.
Irving was 7 of 10 from 3-point range in his first regular-season game at TD Garden since he opted out of his Celtics contract in
2019.
HEAT 111, PELICANS 98
In Miami, Duncan Robinson made seven 3-pointers — tying the Christmas single-game mark — and scored 23 points, leading Miami to the victory.
Goran Dragic added 18 points, and Erik Spoelstra moved to 8-0 on Christmas as coach of the Heat.
CLIPPERS 121, NUGGETS 108
In Denver, Paul George had 23 points and Kawhi Leonard added 21 as Los Angeles got a small measure of revenge for last season’s seven-game playoff loss to the Nuggets.
Nikola Jokic had 24 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds for Denver.