LeBron James scores 19 points and helps the Lakers get out to a fast start in a rout of Golden State.
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.
Lakers 117, Warriors 91
LeBron James scored 19 points in his 1,300th regularseason appearance as the Lakers routed the Warriors 117-91 at Staples Center. He was one of six Los Angeles players to score in double figures in a game that was never in doubt.
The Lakers were up 20 at the end of the first quarter and had a 73-44 lead at halftime.
“Our starters played terrific,” Lakers coach Frank Vogel said. “They had a mindset to make sure they took care of business against a team that stole one from us the last time.”
Forward Markieff Morris was a little more direct about the revenge factor.
“We remember getting up big last time and them coming back,” he said of the Jan. 18 game. “We wanted to make our mark early and just keep our foot on their neck throughout the game.”
Vogel said the best thing to come out of the game was that James — who became the 23rd player in NBA history to appear in at least 1,300 regular-season games — played a season-low 24 minutes and sat during the fourth quarter.
Kyle Kuzma had 12 points and 11 rebounds, while Morris and Alex Caruso each scored a season-high 13 points.
Bucks 105, Clippers 100: Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 36 points and sparked a closing 9-0 run to help Milwaukee rally past visiting Los Angeles for its fifth consecutive victory. The Bucks outscored the Clippers 9-0 in the last four minutes to win for the first time in 11 games this season when trailing after three quarters. Kawhi Leonard scored 25 points for the Clippers but his potential tying 3-point attempt bounced off the front rim with about four seconds left.
Celtics 111, Wizards 110: Jayson Tatum made two twisting, driving baskets in the final 15 seconds and finished with 31 points, helping host Boston overcome Bradley Beal’s 46-point night for Washington. Kemba Walker scored 21 points for the Celtics, and Daniel Theis had 20 points and nine rebounds. Russell Westbrook had 24 points and 11 rebounds for the Wizards.
Hornets 127, Kings 126: P.J. Washington, who made a 3-pointer with 17 seconds left to get visiting Charlotte within one, scored a careerhigh 42 points as the Hornets scored the unlikely victory. After Washington’s 3, Buddy Hield, an 85 percent free throw shooter, missed one of two for the Kings. Malik Monk was fouled while making a driving layup and made the free throw.
Grizzlies 133, Rockets 84: Justise Winslow scored 20 points and Memphis handed Houston its 11th straight loss, the Rockets’ longest losing streak since a 15-game skid in November and December 2001. The 84 points marked the Rockets’ lowest total since Nov. 8, 2018, against Oklahoma City.
Knicks 109, Pistons 90: Julius Randle scored 17 of his 25 points in the second half and visiting New York earned its seventh win in the last nine games. The Knicks (18-17) have the fourth-best record in the Eastern Conference and are above .500 this far into the season for the first time since they were 54-28 at the end of 2012-13, according to
SportRadar.
Heat 109, Hawks 99: Kendrick Nunn scored 24 points, Bam Adebayo had 16 points and 13 rebounds, and Miami extended the NBA’s longest current winning streak to six games by beating visiting Atlanta. John Collins led all scorers with 34 points for Atlanta, and grabbed 10 rebounds.
Suns 118, Timberwolves 99: Devin Booker scored 21 of his season-high 43 points in the third quarter to carry Phoenix over host Minnesota, the 14th win for the Suns in their last 17 games. DeAndre Ayton added 22 points and 10 rebounds, and Chris Paul had 11 points and 15 assists for Phoenix.
Notable
The Raptors’ issues with the coronavirus have worsened, prompting the NBA to call off their game scheduled for Sunday night against the Bulls.