LeBron James’ clutch fourth quarter and Luka Doncic’s triple-double powered the Lakers over the 76ers, while the Thunder won their 15th straight game
LOS ANGELES: Luka Doncic returned with a triple-double and LeBron James delivered late to lead the Los Angeles Lakers to a 112-108 NBA victory over the Philadelphia 76ers.
Doncic, back after missing two games for the birth of his daughter, scored 31 points with 15 rebounds and 11 assists.
James, who will turn 41 this month, scored 12 of his 29 points in the fourth quarter.
He hit a three-pointer and a jump shot to put Los Angeles up by five with 27.4 seconds left after the 76ers had tied it at 105-105.
Doncic added two free-throws and James sealed the win with a steal in the final seconds.
James said he felt fresh knowing Doncic was likely fatigued from travel and teammate Austin Reaves was weary from carrying the offensive load.
“The end of a road trip, there can be a lot of tired legs,” James said.
Tyrese Maxey led the 76ers with 28 points while Joel Embiid made just four of 21 shots for 16 points.
The NBA Champion Oklahoma City Thunder cruised to their 15th straight victory, 131-101 over the Utah Jazz.
They achieved this despite the absence of Most Valuable Player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander with elbow bursitis.
Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren scored 25 points each as the Thunder led by as many as 42 points.
The win equals the longest winning streak in franchise history.
Denver’s Jamal Murray scored 23 of his 34 points in the first quarter as the Nuggets beat the Charlotte Hornets 115-106.
Nikola Jokic added 28 points, nine rebounds and 11 assists to help Denver post a third straight win.
Boston’s Jaylen Brown scored 30 points and Derrick White added 27 in a 121-113 win over the Toronto Raptors.
The Celtics blew a 23-point lead but recovered late to secure the victory.
In New York, Jalen Brunson’s 30 points and nine assists led the Knicks to a 106-100 victory over the Orlando Magic.
The Magic lost top scorer Franz Wagner to a lower leg injury in the first quarter.
Jimmy Butler returned from injury to score 19 points in the Golden State Warriors’ 123-91 rout of the Chicago Bulls. – AFP
