LeBron James scores 19 in 1,300th regular-season game in Lakers win
LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Lakers blew a 14-point, fourth-quarter lead in their first meeting against the Golden State Warriors. They were determined not to let that happen Sunday night.
LeBron James scored 19 points in his 1,300th regular-season appearance as the Lakers routed the Warriors 117-91. James is the 23rd player in NBA history to appear in that many regular-season games. He was one of six Los Angeles players to score in double figures.
The defending NBA champions had dropped five of six since Anthony Davis suffered a right calf strain on Feb. 14, but have won their last two.
Eric Paschall scored 18 points for Golden State, which had its three-game winning streak snapped. Stephen Curry added 16 points and Kelly Oubre Jr. 14.
The Warriors rallied for a 115-113 victory on Jan. 18 at Staples Center, but never had a chance in this one. Los Angeles went on a 16-2 run to take a 20-5 lead with 7:23 remaining in the first quarter as four of its first six field goals were 3-pointers.
The Lakers ended the quarter with 12 straight points to go up 41-21. James had 10 points in the quarter, including two on free throws as Los Angeles was 13 of 16 from the line in the quarter.
Los Angeles had a season-high 73 firsthalf points as it extended its lead to 29 at halftime (73-44). Its largest lead was 35 late in the third quarter.
BUCKS 105, CLIPPERS 100
MILWAUKEE — Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 36 points and sparked closing 9-0 run to help Milwaukee rally to beat Los Angeles for its fifth consecutive victory.
The Bucks won for the first time in 11 games this season when trailing after three quarters.
Kawhi Leonard’s potential tying 3-point attempt bounced off the front rim with about four seconds left. Khris Middleton got the rebound and sealed it with two free throws with 2.1 seconds remaining.
After Leonard’s jumper gave Los Angeles a 100-96 lead with 4:01 left, the Clippers didn’t score again.
Antetokounmpo has scored at least 35 points in four straight games. He’s the first Bucks player to do that since Kareem Abdul-Jabbar from Jan. 6-14, 1973.
Middleton added 19 points, six rebounds and eight assists. Leonard scored 25 points to lead the Clippers.
CELTICS 111, WIZARDS 110
BOSTON — Jayson Tatum made two twisting, driving baskets in the final 15 seconds and finished with 31 points, leading Boston to a comeback victory over Washington despite 46 points by Bradley Beal.
GRIZZLIES 133, ROCKETS 84
HOUSTON — Justise Winslow scored 20 points and Memphis pounded Houston for the Rockets’ 11th straight loss.
KNICKS 109, PISTONS 90
DETROIT — Julius Randle scored 17 of his 25 points in the second half and New York moved above .500 with a victory over Detroit.
HEAT 109, HAWKS 99
MIAMI — The Miami Heat are back at .500, not even a couple weeks removed from being near the very bottom of the Eastern Conference.
Kendrick Nunn scored 24 points, Bam Adebayo had 16 points and 13 rebounds, and the Heat extended the NBA’s longest current winning streak to six games by beating Atlanta.