The Los Angeles Lakers beat the Spurs in San Antonio on Saturday for the second time in two days (143-138), thanks in particular to 39 points from LeBron James, his best offensive record this season.
James, who scored 21 points but looked a little rusty on his return to the courts after a groin injury in Friday’s 105-94 win at San Antonio), this time easily took over from his teammate Anthony Davis, calf injury.
The 37-year-old star, who grabbed 11 rebounds, was perfect (10 of 10) from the free throw line and made seven of the Lakers’ 17 three-pointers.
The Lakers’ newfound chemistry showed at the end of the second quarter, when James had an interception and passed to Russell Westbrook in the corner, before Westbrook tossed the ball to James, who was swinging to smack a dunk.
“I feel like we’re getting better and better,” LBJ said of his team, which got off to a sluggish start. “At the start of the season we would have lost a game like this,” he added.
Dennis Schroder added 21 points and Lonnie Walker 19 for the Lakers.
Westbrook had 11 points, seven rebounds and six assists in the game that got out of hand.
– Phoenix narrowly –
The point guard was furious when he was elbowed in the face by Zach Collins under the basket two minutes from the end of the third quarter.
Westbrook jumped to his feet, bleeding profusely, and charged towards Collins before James wrapped his arms around him and, as they walked to the bench, put a towel over his forehead.
Collins was sent off for a flagrant foul and Westbrook – who went to the locker room briefly but returned after doctors determined he did not need stitches – received a technical foul.
With a record of seven wins and 11 losses, the Lakers are thirteenth out of 15 in the Western Conference.
Leader of this conference, Phoenix improved its record to 13-6, with a very narrow victory at home over the Utah Jazz (113-112).
Deandre Ayton led the Suns with 29 points and 21 rebounds.
Teammate Devin Booker shot just eight of 27 for 27 points. Phoenix was without star point guard Chris Paul for the ninth straight game as he continued to battle a right heel injury.
– Anunoby decisive for Toronto –
In Toronto, the Raptors, however very diminished, recovered from a sluggish start to beat the Dallas Mavericks of Luka Doncic, the NBA’s leading scorer (105-100).
OG Anunoby scored 12 of 26 points in the fourth quarter to give the Raptors a win in a game that was down to the wire.
Anunoby also provided a strong defensive effort on Doncic, who scored 24 points and delivered nine assists but matched his season low with just 15 shot attempts.
“He’s an amazing player,” Doncic said of the British-Nigerian winger. “I would say he is on both sides. I think he’s the steals leader in the NBA but offensively he’s improved a lot. I’m impressed with his game, he’s an incredible player “, underlined the Slovenian.
Fred VanVleet, returning after missing a game through illness, also had 26 points for the Raptors, who were without Pascal Siakam, Scottie Barnes, Precious Achiuwa and Otto Porter Jr.
The success of the Rockets in Houston in front of Oklahoma City (118-105) rested largely on Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun.
Green had 28 points and nine assists, the best total of his career in this area. Sengun added 21 points, seven assists but also 19 rebounds, again the best total of his career.
This is the first time since March that the Rockets, dead last in the West, have managed to win two games in a row.