LAKERS STAR DUO TAKES OVER DOWN STRETCH
Anthony Davis and LeBron James each scored 26 points, rallying the Los Angeles Lakers to a 94-92 win over the host Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday night in Memphis.
James added 11 rebounds and seven assists, and Dennis Schroder finished with 12 points for Los Angeles.
“That’s why he’s great,” Lakers coach Frank Vogel said of James taking over the game with Davis. “He finds a way to make those superhero-type of plays. Our focus is on making sure we don’t need those superhero-type of plays to close games out.”
Jonas Valanciunas, Dillon Brooks and Gorgui Dieng led Memphis with 13 points apiece, and Brandon Clarke added 12 points. Valanciunas finished with 11 rebounds.
On a poor shooting night for both teams, the Lakers were able to depend on James and Davis down the stretch. Los Angeles trailed 79-77 with five minutes left when the two big men combined for a 9-2 run and an 86-81 lead. The final basket came on a dunk by Davis on an assist from
James.
James and Davis combined for a run of 15 points late in the fourth to take the lead to 92-83 with 31.1 seconds left.
“I have a lot of confidence in LeBron James in the fourth quarter,” Vogel said. “I don’t really know any other way to say that. I trust him.”
Memphis was able to put together some late baskets to make it close, but couldn’t overtake the Lakers, who won their fourth straight.
Spurs 116, Clippers 113: Patty Mills hit a career-high eight 3-pointers and scored 27 points off the bench, and visiting San Antonio defeated Los Angeles to snap a four-game skid.
Kawhii Leonard scored a game-high 30 points and had
10 assists. He had 11 points in the third, when Patrick Beverley made three 3-pointers, and the Clippers closed within one. Nicolas Batum had 21 points and nine rebounds, and Beverley finished with 20 points.
Nets 130, Jazz 96: Kyrie Irving scored 20 of his 29 points in the first half to lead undermanned Brooklyn over Utah. The Nets were missing Spencer Dinwiddie (knee surgery) and Kevin Durant (quarantining).
Jarrett Allen recorded his third double-double of the season with 19 points and 18 rebounds, and Caris LeVert had 24 points off the bench for Brooklyn.
Nuggets 123, Timberwolves 116: Nikola Jokic scored 13 of his 35 points in the fourth quarter after losing his cool earlier in the game, and host Denver beat Minnesota for its 10th straight win over the Timberwolves.
Jokic shook off two second-quarter technical fouls — one for hanging on the rim and another for jawing at an official — to lead the Nuggets to the comeback victory. He also had 15 rebounds.
Bulls 111, Trail Blazers 108: Coby White had 21 points and 10 rebounds, Zach LaVine hit a big 3 late and visiting Chicago rallied from 20 down to beat Portland.
CJ McCollum led Portland with 26 points and Damian Lillard had 24.
Notable
Hawks guard Rajon Rondo, 34, will miss at least three more games because of right knee soreness.