DAVIS, JAMES LEAD LAKERS’ RALLY
The Los Angeles Lakers know they are not always going to feel or play like the defending league champions.
Lakers 109, Spurs 103
Anthony Davis had 35 points and 11 rebounds and LeBron James added 26 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists as the Lakers rallied to beat the host San Antonio Spurs 109-103 on Friday night.
The Lakers closed the game with a 9-0 run for their second win against the Spurs in three days.
“We persisted through our struggles,” Los Angeles coach Frank Vogel said. “That’s going to happen from time to time. In a 72game season, you are going to have some wins that are uglier than others. We knew coming into this season, with the quick turnaround, there was going to be some ugly nights. The key is to find a way to win when you are not at your best.”
The Lakers found a way to win by attacking the paint late against the youthful core of the Spurs.
San Antonio forward Keldon Johnson blocked James’ layup attempt, but Kyle Kuzma tipped in the follow to give the Lakers a 105103 lead with 53.9 seconds remaining. James followed with a layup and Davis closed the scoring with two free throws.
“Their game plan tweaked,” Kuzma said. “They added a little bit of a different element for us. We had to adjust down the stretch.”
Johnson had a career-high 26 points and added 10 rebounds for his fourth game of 20-plus points in two seasons. Only Hall of Famer Tim Duncan had more 20-point efforts through his first 25 career games with the Spurs, getting six during his rookie season.
“He’s a competitor,” San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich said of Johnson. “He’s a fine young player and he’s going to have a great career. That’s about all I can say. He’s
been wonderful.”
Johnson was 5 for 9 on 3-pointers, including a 26-footer with 6:30 remaining that put the Spurs up 95-94.
Jazz 106, Clippers 100:
Mike Conley made seven 3-pointers and scored a season-high 33 points to lead host Utah to a victory over Los Angeles.
Conley also dished out seven assists, and Donovan Mitchell added 15 points for the Jazz. Derrick Favors chipped in with 14 points and 11 rebounds off the bench as Utah earned its first home victory of the season.
Paul George had 25 points, eight rebounds and six steals to lead Los Angeles. Kawhi Leonard added 20 points, 16 rebounds and nine assists.
Suns 106, Nuggets 103: Chris Paul hit a clutch jumper with 7.3 seconds remaining after a successful coach’s challenge on the other end and visiting Phoenix moved to 5-1 for the first time since 2009-10 by holding off scuffling Denver.
Bucks 128, Bulls 96: Giannis Antetokounmpo had 29 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists and host Milwaukee used torrid 3-point shooting (22-of-45) to blast shorthanded Chicago.
Zach LaVine had 16 points for the Bulls.
Wizards 130, Timberwolves 109: Bradley Beal had 31 points and seven assists and visiting Washington beat Minnesota without Russell Westbrook for its first victory in six games this season.
Westbrook sat out for rest on the second game of a back-to-back, but the Wizards (1-5) didn’t look like the same team that lost the night before at home to Chicago.
Malik Beasley scored 21 points for Minnesota.
Mavericks 93, Heat 83: Luka Doncic had season highs of 27 points and 14 rebounds for his first double-double of the season to lead host Dallas past Miami.
Bam Adebayo scored 19 points for Miami.
Pistons 96, Celtics 93: Jeremi Grant scored 24 points and host Detroit won for the first time in five games this season, beating Boston.
Jayson Tatum had 28 points for the Celtics.
Grizzlies 108, Hornets 93: Dillon Brooks scored 21 points as Memphis beat host Charlotte.
Bismack Biyombo led Charlotte with 16 points and 12 rebounds.
Hawks 114, Nets 96: De’Andre Hunter scored 23 points help visiting Atlanta beat Brooklyn.
Kevin Durant scored 28 points for the Nets. They have lost three of four.
Trail Blazers 123, Warriors 98: Damian Lillard scored a gamehigh 34 points as visiting Portland beat Golden State.