No Lebron? No problem: Russell fuels Lakers’ win
D’angelo Russell scored 21 of his season-high 44 points in the fourth quarter, including a go-ahead jumper with 5.9 seconds left, as the host Los Angeles Lakers overcame the absence of Lebron James (sore left ankle) to beat Milwaukee 123-122 on Friday. Russell had nine 3-pointers and nine assists. He scored eight points in the final 1:13. Giannis Antetokounmpo had 34 points, 14 rebounds and 12 assists for the Bucks.
■ Cavaliers 113, Timberwolves 104, OT: At Cleveland, Jarrett Allen scored
10 of his 33 points in overtime and had 18 rebounds for Cleveland, which has alternated wins and losses for its past seven games. Naz Reid scored 34 points for Minnesota, which entered win an Nbabest 22-11 road record.
■ Wizards 112, Hornets 100: At Washington, Kyle Kuzma scored 28 points for Washington, which hit 16 of 20 fourthquarter shots and halted a franchise record-tying 16 game slide. Miles Bridges had 32 points for Charlotte, which missed its first 17 3-point tries in its sixth straight loss.
■ Pelicans 103, 76ers 95: At Philadelphia, Zion Williamson had 23 points and 12 rebounds for New Orleans, which had a 36-point lead cut to five in its third straight win. Philadelphia missed 18 of 20 first-half 3-point tries in its 15th loss in 21 games.
■ Knicks 98, Magic 74: At New
York, Jalen Brunson scored 26 points for New York, which hit eight of its first nine 3-point tries and never trailed while halting Orlando’s five-game win streak.
The Magic lost for the second time in 10 games.
■ Thunder 107, Heat 100: At
Oklahoma City, Shai Gilgeous-alexander scored 23 of his 37 points in the second half for Oklahoma City, which overcame a 14-point deficit in its third win in four games to move back atop the West.
■ Hawks 99, Grizzlies 92: At Memphis, Tenn., Dejounte Murray matched his career high with 41 points for Atlanta, which overcame an 11-point first-half deficit in its third straight win.
■ Rockets 123, Trail Blazers 107:
At Portland, Ore., Jalen Green scored 27 points for Houston, which erased a 12-point deficit to hand Portland its third straight loss and 12th in 14 games.