INDIANAPOLIS.- LeBron James hit a triple to break the tie in overtime and followed him with another long-range shot to end the game on his return to activity after the first suspension in his career and help the Los Angeles Lakers to defeat the Indiana Pacers 124-116 this Wednesday night.
James finished with 37 points on 13-of-29 shooting and had six assists and five rebounds to make up for the absence of Anthony Davis.
James was sent off Sunday night in the win at Detroit for hitting center Isaiah Stewart in the face. The NBA suspended him for one game, for which he was absent in the Lakers’ loss in New York on Tuesday night.
The Lakers ended a five-game road trip with their second win in six games.
Malcolm Brogdon led Indiana with 28 points and Chris Duarte contributed 17. Indiana was never down until Malik Monk hit a 3-pointer with 4:35 left in regulation.
But the Lakers didn’t play at a championship level. Instead, the game had all the elements of one before the holiday and at the end of a long journey – inconsistencies, oversights, and just plain bad play.
Despite this, James and company found a way to hit the knockout blow.
James’ first 3-pointer in overtime put the game 117-114 with 2:51 left. A minute later, he hit one more that extended the lead to six points and added a mid-range shot before Wayne Ellington sealed the win. Indiana only got one basket in the final three minutes.
TORONTO 126
MEMPHIS 113
MEMPHIS, Tennessee.- Gary Trent Jr. scored 17 of his 26 points in the fourth quarter and the Toronto Raptors came from behind to beat the Memphis Grizzlies 126-113 this Wednesday.
Fred VanVleet added 23 points and Precious Achiuwa, Pascal Siakam and Scott Barnes each had 17 points. Barnes also picked up nine rebounds.
Ja Morant led Memphis with 23 points and nine assists. Desmond Bane and Dillon Brooks finished with 20 each, and Jaren Jackson Jr. and Brandon Clarke each had 16 points.
Memphis blew a 12-point lead in the first half thanks to contributions from Achiuwa and Trent after halftime.
Toronto took advantage of an offensive explosion in the third quarter, where Achiuwa made his first four shots to get the Raptors back in the game. Achiuwa scored 17 points in the period and Toronto edged Memphis 32-21 in the quarter.
ATLANTA 124
SAN ANTONIO 106
SAN ANTONIO.- Trae Young scored 31 points, the Atlanta Hawks defeated the San Antonio Spurs 124-106 this Wednesday to reach six wins in a row.
Bogdan Bogdanovic had 18 points and John Collins 15 to help Atlanta to just their second road win this season. Clint Capela finished with 11 points and 13 rebounds.
Bryn Forbes had 23 points, his best performance of the season, and Dejounte Murray contributed 22 points, 11 assists and eight rebounds for San Antonio.
The Spurs faced for the second consecutive game a rival mounted on a long winning streak. Phoenix defeated San Antonio on Monday for 13 wins in a row.
Atlanta moved above .500 for the first time since Nov. 1. The Hawks lost six in a row after their win over Washington put them 4-3.
San Antonio hit their sixth setback and is headed for their worst season since they finished with the worst record in franchise history at 20-62 in 1997.
TORONTO 126
MEMPHIS 113
MEMPHIS, Tennessee.- Gary Trent Jr. scored 17 of his 26 points in the fourth quarter and the Toronto Raptors came from behind to beat the Memphis Grizzlies 126-113 this Wednesday.
Fred VanVleet added 23 points and Precious Achiuwa, Pascal Siakam and Scott Barnes each had 17 points. Barnes also picked up nine rebounds.
Ja Morant led Memphis with 23 points and nine assists. Desmond Bane and Dillon Brooks finished with 20 each, and Jaren Jackson Jr. and Brandon Clarke each had 16 points.
Memphis blew a 12-point lead in the first half thanks to contributions from Achiuwa and Trent after halftime.
Toronto took advantage of an offensive explosion in the third quarter, where Achiuwa made his first four shots to get the Raptors back in the game. Achiuwa scored 17 points in the period and Toronto edged Memphis 32-21 in the quarter.
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