Brilliant LeBron scores 56 as Lakers outsmart Warriors
LeBron James produced a 56-point masterpiece as the Los Angeles Lakers snapped their four-game losing streak with a thrilling 124-116 win over the Golden State Warriors on Saturday (Sunday, Phl time).
James delivered his highest single-game points tally since joining the Lakers in a pulsating battle with the Warriors, who themselves are in a minislump that now runs to four straight defeats.
A see-saw game at the Lakers’ newly renamed Crypto.com Arena saw the lead change hands nine times, with the Lakers jumping out to a 14-point lead in the first quarter before the Warriors hit back with a 42-point second quarter display.
That left the Warriors in the driving seat and leading by 14 before James and the Lakers gradually worked their way back into the contest with a late burst of scoring in the fourth quarter.
James’ scoring was backed with 20 points from Russell Westbrook while veteran Carmelo Anthony added 14 off the bench.
Stephen Curry led the Warriors scorers with 30 points while Jordan Poole added 23.
Elsewhere Saturday, Jimmy Butler scored 21 points as the Miami Heat shut down Joel Embiid to end the Philadelphia 76ers’ five-game winning streak with a 99-82 victory.The much-anticipated duel between the first and second-placed Eastern Conference rivals was a mostly one-sided affair with the Sixers weakened by the decision to rest star new recruit James Harden.
Tyler Herro added 21 off the bench, while Gabe Vincent finished with 16 points and Caleb Martin 14 as the Heat improved to 43-22 at the top of the Eastern Conference standings. Philadelphia remain in the second spot with a 39-24 record.
Embiid led the Sixers, scoring 22 points, while Tyrese Maxey finished with 17 points and Tobias Harris 16 on a disappointing night for the visitors.