James nears scoring record
NEW ORLEANS >> LeBron James moved 36 points away from breaking the NBA career scoring record in the Los Angeles Lakers' 131-126 loss to New Orleans on Saturday night that ended the Pelicans' losing streak at 10 games.
James had 27 points to go with nine rebounds and six assists as he continued to close in on Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's record total of 38,387 points.
Brandon Ingram scored 35 points for the Pelicans.
CJ McCollum had 23 points, highlighted by a late 3 to help New Orleans close out the final 3:14 on a 9-5 run that kept the Lakers at bay.
Anthony Davis had 34 points and 14 rebounds for the Lakers.
NETS 125, WIZARDS 123 >> Cam Thomas scored a careerhigh 44 points off the bench and short-handed Brooklyn overcame a 23-point deficit to beat Washington.
Edmond Sumner also set a personal best with 29 points. Brooklyn guard Kyrie Irving was out with what the team said was right calf soreness a day after he told the Nets he wants to be traded.
Kristaps Porzingis led the Wizards with 38 points.
BUCKS 123, HEAT 115 >> Giannis Antetokounmpo had a triple-double with 35 points, 15 rebounds and 11 assists and Milwaukee beat short-handed Miami for its seventh straight victory.
CLIPPERS 134, KNICKS 128, OT >> Kawhi Leonard scored 35 points, Paul George added 30 and Los Angeles beat New York in overtime.
SUNS 116, PISTONS 100 >> DeAndre Ayton had 31 points and 16 rebounds to help Phoenix beat Detroit.
THUNDER 153, ROCKETS 121 >> Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 42 points and Oklahoma City set a Thunder record for points to rout Houston.
BULLS 129, TRAIL BLAZERS 121 >> Zach LaVine scored 36 points, DeMar DeRozan had 27 and Chicago topped Damian Lillard and Portland.
NUGGETS 128, HAWKS 108 >> Jamal Murray scored a season-high 41 points, Nikola Jokic had his 18th triple-double of the season and Denver won its third straight game, beating Atlanta.