Avery Bradley’s heroics lift Lakers to OT win over Raptors

Avery Bradley hit the go-ahead 3-pointer with 32.5 seconds to play in overtime, then added two free throws as the visiting Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Toronto Raptors 128-123 Friday night.

Russell Westbrook had 22 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists for the Lakers, including the tying 3-pointer to force overtime.

Bradley finished with 14 points and LeBron James led the Lakers with 36 points as they ended a three-game losing streak. They had lost their 11 previous road games.

Toronto took the lead with 26.1 seconds to play in regulation on Gary Trent Jr.'s 3-pointer, but Westbrook tied it at 116 with a 3-pointer with 0.9 seconds left.

Austin Reaves made two free throws to give the Lakers a two-point lead with 1:49 left in overtime. Trent tied it on a layup. Pascal Siakam made one of two foul shots with 51.8 seconds to play, but Bradley made the crucial 3-pointer and, with 12.6 seconds to go in overtime, made two free throws.

Wenyen Gabriel scored 17 points for the Lakers and Reaves had 10.

Scottie Barnes had 31 points and 17 rebounds for the Raptors, who had a five-game win streak end. Trent had 23 points, Fred VanVleet had 20, Precious Achiuwa scored 18 and Siakam 17.

Toronto took a one-point lead into the fourth quarter. The score was tied at 99 on a layup by James with 7:39 to play.

Reaves made a 3-pointer to give L.A. the lead with 6:48 left. Trent tied the game with a layup with 4:15 to go. Barnes made a dunk to put Toronto ahead by two with 3:03 remaining. James answered with a 3-pointer, but Barnes made a layup and a free throw to give Toronto a two-point lead. James tied it with a jumper.

The Lakers led 33-30 after one quarter.

Toronto finished the first half on a 7-0 run to trim the lead to 59-55.

Chris Boucher's put-back layup gave Toronto an 89-88 lead after three quarters.

The Lakers were without Carmelo Anthony and Wayne Ellington because of non-Covid illness and Talen Horton-Tucker (sprained ankle). The Raptors were without OG Anunoby (broken finger).

-reuters

NBA: Lakers’ Davis (ankle) out 2 weeks, report says

Lakers forward Anthony Davis is expected to be sidelined at least two weeks after sustaining a right ankle sprain in Los Angeles' 106-101 win against the Utah Jazz on Wednesday, ESPN reported.

Per the Lakers, Davis underwent X-rays on Wednesday that revealed no fracture. He has an MRI scheduled for Thursday, and the team announced he will be re-evaluated after the upcoming All-Star break.

Davis was pulling down a rebound in the air when his right foot landed on the heel of Utah's Rudy Gobert. Davis' right ankle rolled, sending him immediately to the floor.

After a visit from team medical staff, Davis was helped off the court, unable to put weight on his right foot. He collected 17 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 blocks in 17 minutes before leaving.

"Win games until we get him back," Lakers coach Frank Vogel told reporters. "It's that simple. We can't feel sorry for ourselves. We don't know obviously how long it will be, but we gotta win as many games as we can down the stretch and believe in the group that we have. And hopefully we're able to get whole as quickly as possible."

The Lakers (27-31) return to action on February 25 against the visiting Los Angeles Clippers.

It has been an injury-plagued season for the 8-time All-Star, who had been listed as probable for Wednesday's game with a wrist injury. Davis had just returned January 23 from a 17-game absence because of a knee injury. He also missed significant time last season with separate calf and knee injuries.

Davis, 28, is averaging 23.1 points and 9.7 rebounds in 37 games this season. He has averaged 23.8 points and 10.2 rebounds in 601 career games (596 starts).

-reuters

NBA: Karl-Anthony Towns scores 28 points in smooth win over Lakers

Karl-Anthony Towns had 28 points and 10 rebounds, and the Minnesota Timberwolves pulled away for a 110-92 win over the visiting Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night in Minneapolis.

D'Angelo Russell and Malik Beasley scored 17 apiece for Minnesota, which won its third game in a row. Jaylen Nowell finished with 14 points off the bench.

Isaiah Thomas led the Lakers with 19 points in his season debut. LeBron James scored 18 points and Anthony Davis had nine before limping to the locker room in the third quarter with a left knee injury.

Davis sustained the injury shortly after taking a pass from James. Timberwolves defender Jaden McDaniels lost his balance and tumbled directly into the front of Davis' knee as his leg was planted.

The Lakers said Davis had a left knee contusion and would undergo additional evaluation in Chicago on Saturday.

Davis' absence was felt on the court, where the Timberwolves built an 85-65 advantage by the end of the third quarter.

The Timberwolves held a 61-58 lead with 7:40 remaining in the third quarter, but they surged ahead by scoring 11 straight points and finishing the frame on a 24-7 run.

Beasley hit back-to-back 3-pointers during the run. Frustrations boiled over for the Lakers late in the third quarter, with coach Frank Vogel and veteran Carmelo Anthony each drawing a technical foul.

Minnesota led 54-45 at the half. Towns had 23 points to lead all players.

The Timberwolves jumped to an 8-2 lead after the opening tipoff -- and Towns had all eight of his team's points. He converted a pair of three-point plays and sank an 11-foot hook shot over Davis.

In the second quarter, the Lakers pulled within 42-39 with 2:15 to go. But their deficit expanded as the Timberwolves scored 12 of the final 18 points before halftime.

Both teams dealt with roster challenges brought on by COVID-19.

The Timberwolves played without Anthony Edwards and Taurean Prince, both of whom were in health and safety protocols. The Lakers did not have Malik Monk, Talen Horton-Tucker, Avery Bradley, Dwight Howard or Austin Reaves available.

-reuters

NBA: Playing without LeBron James, Lakers still punish Kings

Anthony Davis scored 25 points, Malik Monk shot 6-of-10 from 3-point range en route to 22 points off the bench, and a Los Angeles Lakers team playing without LeBron James rode a big third quarter to a 117-92 defeat of the host Sacramento Kings on Tuesday.

Trailing 72-68 midway through the third quarter, Davis and Russell Westbrook ignited the first of two 12-0 runs that began in the period.

Davis scored six of the 12 points in the first burst, which lasted a little more than three minutes, while Westbrook added three points and assisted on a 3-pointer by Monk that capped the pivotal run.

Westbrook finished with 23 points, six assists and five rebounds.

Carmelo Anthony then scored five of his 14 points off the bench to spark Los Angeles' second 12-0 run, which lasted into the early fourth quarter and pushed the Lakers' lead to 18 points.

The reserves came up big for Los Angeles and helped extend the lead to as many as 27 points in the final period. Dwight Howard added 12 to the Lakers' 58 total bench points, as well as a game-high 13 rebounds.

Bench contributions were timely with James scratched from the lineup late due to COVID-19 health and safety protocols.

Sacramento, meanwhile, got just 20 points from its reserves - though the bench accounted for four of the team's six made 3-pointers. Davion Mitchell knocked down a pair en route to eight points, and he was the only Kings player to make more than one on a 6-of-29 collective shooting night from long range.

With outside shots not falling, Richaun Holmes and Chimezie Metu carried much of Sacramento's scoring load on the interior. Holmes shot 12-of-13 for a game-high 27 points, while Metu finished 7-of-10 for 14 points with 11 rebounds.

De'Aaron Fox was Sacramento's only other scorer in double-figures with 17 points.

-reuters 

NBA: LeBron James fined for 'obscene gesture,' warned for swearing

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James was slapped with a $15,000 fine for an "obscene gesture" and was warned for swearing during a news conference by the NBA's disciplinary officials on Friday.

"LeBron James has been fined $15,000 for making an obscene gesture on the playing court and warned for using profane language during media availability," said league spokesman Byron Spruell in a news release.

This is the second time this week that league has disciplined James for an on-court incident. 

James was hit with a one-game suspension for a bloody altercation with Detroit Pistons' Isaiah Stewart in a game last Sunday. It was the first suspension of James' career.

The ban meant James missed the Lakers 106-100 loss to the New York Knicks on Tuesday.

He returned Wednesday to face the Indiana Pacers and scored 39 points in a 124-116 overtime win. Late in the fourth quarter James drew the ire of league officials for making an obscene gesture after sinking a three-point basket that extended the Lakers lead to six points. 

James slammed the one-game suspension after the Pacers game, describing the punishment to reporters as "some bull----".

The NBA on Friday also issued a warning to James against "using profane language during media availability."

In nine games this season, James is averaging 24.6 points, five rebounds and 4.6 assists.

Agence France-Presse

NBA: Red-hot Jazz heap another loss on Lakers

Donovan Mitchell and Mike Conley each flirted with triple-doubles and Jordan Clarkson scored 18 points in his customary role off the bench as the red-hot Utah Jazz smashed the Los Angeles Lakers, 114-89, Wednesday night in Salt Lake City.

Conley finished with 14 points, eight rebounds and eight assists in the wake of being snubbed as an All-Star reserve, while Mitchell totaled 13 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists in his first game since earning a second spot in the All-Star Game.

Rudy Gobert, also named to his second All-Star team, added 18 points with nine rebounds as the Jazz to their 22nd win in 24 games. It was also the 20th time in the spurt that they have won by double digits.

Bojan Bogdanovic added 15 points -- all on 3-pointers for Utah, which has the best record in franchise history to begin a season (26-6) and the NBA's best mark so far.

LeBron James scored 19 points but didn't have much help in the Lakers' most lopsided loss of the season. Los Angeles, playing without Anthony Davis and Dennis Schroder, lost their fourth straight and fell for the fifth time in six games.

The game was competitive in the first quarter, but the Jazz blew it open in the second quarter by outscoring the Lakers, 39-24. 

Utah put it away with a 27-17 third-quarter advantage, holding Los Angeles to its lowest point total in a quarter this season.

The Lakers are hoping to get Schroder back for Friday's home game against Portland. He has been sidelined for four games due to NBA health and safety protocols.

Only two other players scored in double figures for the Lakers: Montrezl Harrell (16 points) and Markieff Morris (12).

Derrick Favors added 12 points for Utah.

Utah made 22 3-pointers after draining a franchise-record 28 in beating Charlotte on Monday.

-reuters

NBA: LeBron James leads Lakers past Timberwolves

LeBron James totaled 30 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists to lead the Los Angeles Lakers to a 112-104 road victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday night in Minneapolis.

The Lakers, one of the best road teams in the league this season, won for the 13th time in 16 games away from L.A. and prevailed for the eighth time in their past nine games overall.

Playing without Anthony Davis, who is expected to miss multiple weeks after straining his right Achilles, the Lakers trailed 81-77 with 1:56 left in the third quarter.

James sparked a 26-8 surge that helped the Lakers open up a 14-point lead in the final quarter and eventually hold on for the victory.

Kyle Kuzma (seven points) started again with Davis out, but it was Montrezl Harrell who was clutch off the bench with 17 points and six rebounds. and Marc Gasol (11 points) on the defensive end limiting Karl-Anthony Towns to only 15 points and six rebounds.

Towns was averaging 21 points over his first three games back since returning from a 13-game absence due to a positive COVID-19 test.

Dennis Schroder also delivered on the offensive end shooting 9-for-15 and finishing with 24 points. The Lakers made 11-of-26 three-point attempts (42.3 percent).

But Minnesota was sharp from long distance as well, connecting on 16-of-34 attempts (47.1 percent). Rookie Anthony Edwards led the Timberwolves with 28 points, seven rebounds and five assists.

Jordan McLaughlin and Ricky Rubio each finished with 13 points, and Naz Reid had 10 points.

But Malik Beasley struggled from the field shooting 4-of-15 and finishing with only 11 points after averaging 24.6 points per game over his previous seven.

Things got worse on the injury front for the Timberwolves on Tuesday.

According to ESPN, Minnesota is expected to be without guard D'Angelo Russell for the next 4-6 weeks after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his left knee. Russell is averaging 19.3 points and 5.1 assists in 20 games this season.

-reuters-

NBA plunged into mourning as Kobe Bryant dies in helicopter crash

LOS ANGELES – The NBA grappled with the sudden death of league great Kobe Bryant on Sunday (Monday, Manila time), players saying they felt sick to their stomach taking to the court without having ample time to absorb the shocking news.

A haunting moment of silence preceded the Houston Rockets' game against the Nuggets in Denver, which tipped off just hours after the helicopter crash in suburban Los Angeles in which Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna were among nine who perished.


In San Antonio, where the Spurs hosted the reigning champion Toronto Raptors, both teams took 24-second shot-clock violations on their first possessions of the game in honor of Bryant — who wore the number 24 in the later years of his career.


And in a move that other NBA teams are also expected to adopt, the Dallas Mavericks announced that they were retiring the number 24 jersey.

Several NBA stars said they were reluctant to step on the court after learning the news.



"I don't even know how we are supposed to play this game tonight," said Portland's Damian Lillard said before scoring 50 points in a 139-129 win over Indiana. "It makes you sick to your stomach. It is disturbing.

"It is bigger than just our heroes and the people we look up to dying. It goes deeper than that."

Newly retired Miami Heat star Dwayne Wade described Sunday as "one of the saddest days of my lifetime," adding that he couldn't believe Bryant was gone and that his family had been sharing Kobe stories all day.

"It seems like a bad dream that you just want to wake up from. It is a nightmare," he said.

"It is not going to go away soon. We will weep forever."

'We should honor him'

Eight NBA games were on tap Sunday, and the prevailing mood in every arena was sadness and shock.

Lillard said their coach Terry Stotts told them to go out and honor Bryant by not holding back.

"Coach said Kobe is the toughest to ever play this game. He said we should honor him that way.

"It was on all of our minds. In the time outs... it hurt all of us in our hearts. I look up to him. He's our hero. It is sad man, real sad day."

Reigning NBA finals MVP Kawhi Leonard said all of Los Angeles was feeling the loss.

"No words can explain the impact he had on the floor," said Los Angeles Clippers Leonard. "We are a team from Los Angeles so we know the LA history with him. It is just sad."

New Orleans Pelicans rookie Zion Williamson was preparing to start just his third career NBA contest against Boston when he was floored by news of the death.

"I couldn't focus at first when I heard the news," said Williamson, who was born the year Bryant won his first NBA championship in 2000. "It was tough getting out there. I just hate to see it happen like that to him and his daughter."

Clippers coach Doc Rivers fought back tears as he spoke to reporters before his team took on the Magic in Orlando.

"We're all Lakers right now," Rivers said, calling himself "lucky" to have had a chance to coach against Bryant — who won five NBA titles with the Los Angeles Lakers.

"He was such a great opponent," Rivers said. "It's what you want in sports. He had that DNA that very few athletes can ever have — the Tiger Woodses and Michael Jordans.

'Crazy day to play basketball'

"Looking at my young players and seeing how devastated they are," Rivers said as he lost his battle to hold back his tears.

New Orleans coach Alvin Gentry said Bryant was one of the most driven players he has ever seen.

"I don't know where you could even start," said Gentry before his team's game against Boston.

"Great competitor, great guy, great father. Just really a sad, sad day for the NBA.

Atlanta Hawks rising star Trae Young said he was just getting to know Bryant and his basketball playing daughter.

"This is a crazy day to play basketball," Young said before the Hawks beat Washington 152-133. "I talked to him couple of times.

"He's only been to three games this year and two of them were ours. His daughter was a big fan of mine."

Bryant was one of the best closers the NBA has ever seen. Throughout his career, Bryant would baffle his coach Phil Jackson with his penchant to start games slowly before assuming total command in the fourth quarter. 

Former German all-star Dirk Nowitzki referred to Bryant's finishing skills in a heart-tugging written tribute.

"I remember coming home after games so I could watch you dominate in the fourth quarter! You will always be loved. Rest in Peace with your angel Gigi," said Nowitzki.

source: philstar.com

Lakers outmuscle Mavericks as LeBron hits assist milestone

LOS ANGELES – Anthony Davis had 23 points and nine rebounds as the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Dallas Mavericks, 108-95, on Sunday at Staples Center (Monday, Manila time).

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope came off the bench to score 19 points while LeBron James, who turns 35 on Monday, finished with a double-double, 13 points and 13 assists.

James became the ninth player in league history to reach 9,000 career assists.

Luka Doncic, who entered the contest as the NBA's third-leading scorer at 29.1 points per game, had 19 points on five-of-14 shooting and seven assists.

The Mavericks got a scare in the second quarter when Doncic was slammed to the ground by Lakers Dwight Howard, who was hit with a foul on the play.


Doncic was driving to the basket and in the air when Howard reach in with his left arm sending Doncic crashing to the floor.

This is the second vicious hit by Howard on Doncic this season. In November, Howard bloodied the 20-year-old Slovenian with an elbow to the head.

Delon Wright added 14 points off the bench, while Kristaps Porzingis managed 11 points on 4-of-10 shooting.

The Lakers outshot the Mavericks 48.7 percent to 36 percent.

The Mavericks also played most of the game without Tim Hardaway who left the contest with 5:26 remaining in the first quarter after suffering a hamstring injury.

Hardaway, who had 25 points in the Mavericks' win at Golden State on Saturday, seemed to hurt himself after a dunk.

In New Orleans, Brandon Ingram and Lonzo Ball scored 27 points each as the host New Orleans Pelicans defeated the injury-hit Houston Rockets 127-112.

Jrue Holiday and E'Twaun Moore added 25 each and Derrick Favors had 12 points and 16 rebounds as the Pelicans won for the fifth time in six games.

The Rockets played without Russell Westbrook and James Harden, who sat out with a sore toe. Harden is averaging a league best 38.3 points per game.

Westbrook sat out because the Rockets were playing two games in as many days after beating New Jersey 108-98 on Saturday.

Danuel House scored 22 points, Eric Gordon added 20 to lead the Rockets.

source: philstar.com

LeBron powers Lakers past Hawks

LOS ANGELES – LeBron James scored 33 points as the Los Angeles Lakers cruised to a 122-101 win over the struggling Atlanta Hawks at the Staples Center here Sunday (Monday, Manila time).

The Lakers jumped out to a 25-point lead in the first quarter and never looked back.

Rajon Rondo scored 15 points and Anthony Davis added 14 as the Lakers posted their 11th win in their last 12 games since a season-opening loss to the Los Angeles Clippers.

Trae Young scored 31 points and Cam Reddish added 13 as the Hawks lost their third straight game.

Atlanta was blown out in Los Angeles for the second consecutive night after losing by 49 points to the Clippers.

Also, Denver's Jamal Murray scored 39 points and Paul Millsap added 23 to lead the Nuggets over host Memphis 131-114 for their fifth win in six road contests. Jaren Jackson led the Grizzlies with 22 points.

Tobias Harris scored 27 points to lead six Philadelphia players in double figures as the 76ers rolled to a 114-95 triumph at Cleveland.

Cameroon center Joel Embiid added 14 points for the 76ers and Australia's Ben Simmons had 10 points and 11 assists for Philadelphia. Collin Sexton led the Cavaliers with 17 points.


With Orlando clinging to a three-point lead, Magic guard Markelle Fultz made a steal and dunk then sank a free throw with 36 seconds remaining to lift the hosts over the Washington Wizards 125-121 in a matchup of struggling Eastern Conference clubs.

Montenegrin big man Nikola Vucevic led Orlando (6-7) with 30 points and 17 rebounds while Frenchman Evan Fournier had 25 points and Fultz had a 45-game career-high 19 points for the Magic, who ended a 4-1 homestand.

Bradley Beal scored 34 points to lead Washington (3-8) and crack the NBA career 10,000-point mark.

source: philstar.com

LeBron's Lakers finale veers off script

LOS ANGELES – As movie pitches go, LeBron James' move to the Los Angeles Lakers had all the makings of a Hollywood blockbuster.

An ageing NBA superstar joins a storied-but-struggling franchise and leads a dramatic revival which transforms the team into title contenders.

But five months after James began training with the Lakers, the perfectly scripted finale has been stuck in what entertainment industry executives call "development hell".


After a promising start to their new era, the Lakers have tailed off dramatically since an injured James limped out of a Christmas Day upset of the mighty Golden State Warriors.

At that point, the Lakers were still firmly in the Western Conference playoff hunt with a respectable 20-14 record.

Since then, however, the Lakers have won nine games and lost 17, a slump which has seen them fall out of the playoff rankings into 11th spot in the West, three places adrift of the eighth postseason slot.

Much of that slide can be attributed to James' prolonged absence due to a groin injury, with the 34-year-old missing all of January before returning for a 123-120 win over the Los Angeles Clippers on February 1.

However, the Lakers have continued to struggle even with James back in the line-up.

A chastening sequence of results has included the heaviest defeat of James' career, a 136-94 pounding by the Indiana Pacers, as well as losses to lower-ranked opponents who have little to play for.

The most recent of those came on Monday against the Memphis Grizzlies, who are one place off the bottom of the West with a 24-38 record.

James later appeared to question his team-mates' focus after Monday's 110-105 reverse in Memphis, suggesting that any player unable to cope with the pressure of chasing a playoff berth should find another club.

Locker room turmoil?
"At this point if you are still allowing distractions to affect how the way you play, then this is the wrong franchise to be a part of and you should just come and be like, 'Listen, I don't think this is for me'," James told reporters.

Those kinds of comments are unlikely to endear him to a locker room which has reportedly been in turmoil since the team's pursuit of New Orleans Pelicans star Anthony Davis ended in failure in early February.

The Lakers were reported to have offered several prominent members of their roster in exchange for Davis, including Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzma, Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart, Ivica Zubac and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.

James meanwhile had earlier spoken favorably of a possible link-up with Davis, saying playing alongside the Pelicans ace would be "amazing".

The perception that the Lakers' pursuit of Davis was going ahead with James' blessing was pounced upon by rival fans.

Ingram was subjected to taunts of "LeBron's gonna trade you" during the loss to Indiana on February 5.

One unnamed NBA executive believes James bears some of the responsibility for the Lakers' problems by making no secret of his admiration for Davis.

"He killed the Lakers' chemistry," the executive told Bleacher Report. "He shouldn't have been so public about it."

Other pundits, however, believe the Lakers' problems are linked directly to James' fitness and his lengthy injury layoff.

"The biggest problem with the Los Angeles Lakers is LeBron James," Stephen A. Smith told ESPN's First Take show.

"Age, attrition or injury. Something is not right. He doesn't look like himself."

James meanwhile has always cautioned that rebuilding the Lakers would be a long-term project, stating in September that he anticipated "bumps and bruises" as the team attempted to rebuild after missing the playoffs for five straight seasons prior to his arrival.

But James must now conjure something remarkable over the final weeks of the regular season if he is to avoid missing the playoffs for the first time in his career since 2005.

The Lakers face a brutal run-in which includes games against Boston, Denver, Toronto and Milwaukee.

A daunting final six-game stretch sees them play New Orleans, Golden State, Oklahoma City, the Clippers, Utah and Portland.

source: philstar.com

LeBron vs Warriors headlines NBA's Christmas lineup

There's no NBA Finals rematch this year on Christmas. Not technically, anyway. It's LeBron James vs. the Golden State Warriors for the fourth consecutive year on December 25, though James will be wearing a Los Angeles Lakers uniform this time.

It was a predictable matchup.

It isn't, however, a break from tradition.


That's one of the biggest misnomers about the NBA and the schedule. An NBA Finals rematch is not common, not the norm, not a guarantee for the last two teams that were standing the previous season. The league has crowned a champion every year since 1947, and the tradition of Christmas Day games started later that same year. (They've been an annual fixture since, with the exception of 1998, when a lockout didn't allow that season to begin until February.)

But there have been only nine NBA Finals rematches on December 25. The recent Golden State-Cleveland history may make it seem like more.

James has been in five Finals rematches on Christmas, all since 2011: Miami vs. Dallas that year, Oklahoma City vs. Miami the following year, and Cleveland vs. Golden State in each of the last three years.

The other four rematches on the holiday: Orlando vs. Houston in 1995, Philadelphia vs. the Lakers in 2001, San Antonio vs. Detroit in 2005 and Boston vs. the Lakers in 2008.

So instead of a Cavs-Warriors rematch, getting Lakers vs. Warriors — for the first time in the LeBron L.A. era — makes perfect sense.

"Bron is Bron," Warriors forward Draymond Green said. "They're going to be tough, a tough matchup on Christmas Day, but we're looking forward to it."

Inevitably, so will James. Even with the Lakers having lost four of their last six games, they're off to a 19-14 start — their best since the 2011-12 season.

"We've got a long way to go to get to Golden State," James said in September.

He's about to get his first look at how the Lakers measure up with the champs.

Christmas lineup

Tuesday's slate starts with Milwaukee at New York, followed by Oklahoma City at Houston, Philadelphia at Boston, the Lakers at the Warriors and then Portland at Utah. It's Milwaukee's first Christmas game since 1977, which will end what was by far the league's longest December 25 drought. Utah hasn't played on Christmas since 1997.

A look at each of the five games:

Bucks at Knicks

Congratulations to the schedule-makers, because there's no way they could have known this Christmas game would be wrapped in animus. Giannis Antetokounmpo was peeved at New York forward Mario Hezonja — who dunked on him, stared at him and then stepped over him when the teams last met on December 1.

Thunder at Rockets

A rematch of a game from Christmas 2017, which the Thunder won 112-107. Oklahoma City is 6-2 on Christmas since the team moved there; when the franchise was in Seattle, it was 0-11 on the holiday. Rockets star Chris Paul will miss Christmas for the third straight year — with the Clippers, he had a left hamstring strain and missed their game with the Lakers in 2016, sat out last year's Houston-OKC game with a groin strain and this year, it's another left hamstring issue that will keep him out.

76ers at Celtics

These are heated, historic rivals, but they've met on Christmas only once before — in 1961, when the 76ers were the Syracuse Nationals. Boston, which famously avoided home Christmas games forever (the Celtics played their first 30 such games away from Boston), will be at home on the holiday for the second consecutive season.

Lakers at Warriors

It's the 20th consecutive Christmas appearance for the Lakers, and with LeBron James there now don't expect that streak to end anytime soon. Warriors star Kevin Durant apparently loves playing on the holiday; he's averaging 31.1 points in his eight previous Christmas games.

Trail Blazers at Jazz

Portland is 14-3 all-time on Christmas, and could tie Miami (10-2) for the best winning percentage on the holiday if it tops the Jazz. Meanwhile, for Utah, it's a chance for Jazz star guard Donovan Mitchell to get his first — but almost certainly not his last — look at playing on Christmas.

Christmas history

The NBA's five-game Christmas lineup is back for an 11th consecutive year, and that may seem like a lot of matchups but has been exceeded plenty of times in the past. There were seven games on the holiday in 1949, 1971 and 1977, as well as six in 1970 and 1976.

And there were some years where everybody played on Christmas.

In 1952, the league had 10 teams so that meant five Christmas games. In 1956, the league's eight teams got together for two Christmas doubleheaders — two games at Madison Square Garden, two others at the War Memorial in Rochester, New York. And in 1959, eight teams meant four games on the holiday again.

With Milwaukee playing, the league's longest Christmas drought will belong to the Atlanta Hawks, who haven't appeared on the holiday since 1989. After the Hawks, the longest droughts will be held by Charlotte (no appearances in 29 seasons), Memphis (no appearances in 24 seasons), Toronto (2001), Sacramento (2003), Indiana (2004) and Detroit (2005).

Everyone else has played at least one Christmas game since 2009.

Year of the 3

Houston set the NBA record for 3-pointers made in a game with 26, doing that against Washington last week.

It cemented that, without question, 2018 in the NBA was the year of the 3-pointer.

So far this season, 11 franchises — Atlanta, Boston, Charlotte, Golden State, Houston, Milwaukee, Minnesota, New Orleans, New York, Sacramento and Utah — have set or tied team records for 3-pointers made in a regular-season game. That doesn't even take into account Brooklyn, Chicago, Denver, Detroit, Oklahoma City and Philadelphia also doing it in 2018, albeit last season.

Maybe the craze hasn't caught on in Canada.

The longest-standing team record for 3s in a game is held by the Toronto Raptors, who made 21 on March 13, 2005. Orlando's mark of 23 has stuck since Jan. 13, 2009 and Phoenix's record of 22 came on Nov. 14, 2010.

Meanwhile, Zaza Pachulia's quest for a 3 continues.

Pachulia has the NBA record for most 3s attempted in a career without a make — the Detroit backup center is now 0 for 29 in the regular season, 0 for 31 when including playoffs. He's 0 for 3 in 2018, though all those tries in this calendar year were desperation heaves from midcourt or deeper. And in fairness, only six of his career 3-point tries have been shots inside of 30 feet.

source: philstar.com

Spurs overcome Lakers, LeBron

Celtics snap Pistons romp; Bucks 6-0, Cavs 0-6

SAN ANTONIO – DeMar DeRozan had 30 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists and the Spurs rallied in the fourth quarter, overcoming 35 points and 11 rebounds from LeBron James to beat Los Angeles, 110-106.

The Spurs’ first lead came at 93-91 with 10 minutes remaining when DeRozan laid in his own miss after beating three Lakers to the rebound.

San Antonio built the lead to eight points before James cut it to 106-105 with four straight points and an assist to Josh Hart on a 3-pointer. DeRozan responded with a fadeaway jumper on Hart with 15.9 seconds remaining to help preserve the lead and the eventual win.

Rudy Gay added 16 points and LaMarcus Aldridge had 15 points as the Spurs beat the Lakers for the second time in a week.

In Cleveland, Bojan Bogdanovic scored 25 points, Victor Oladipo had 24 and Indiana beat Cleveland to drop the Cavaliers to 0-6 with a 119-107 victory.

In New Orleans,  Ricky Rubio had 28 points and 12 assists, Rudy Gobert had 25 points and 14 rebounds, and the Utah Jazz became the first team this season to beat the New Orleans Pelicans, 132-111 on Saturday night.

New Orleans played without star forward Anthony Davis. He was ruled out shortly before the game because of his sprained right elbow – an injury through which he’d played in a victory a night earlier over Brooklyn.

In Detroit, Jaylen Brown scored 19 points, Marcus Morris added 18 and Boston handed Detroit its first loss of the season, 109-89.

Andre Drummond had 18 points and eight rebounds, and Stanley Johnson scored a season-high 16 for Detroit. The Pistons won their first four games of the season for the first time since 2008-09.

In Milwaukee, Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 21 points and Khris Middleton had 18 and Milwaukee beat Orlando, 113-91,  to improve to 6-0, one shy of the record set by the 1971-72 team.

Antetokounmpo added seven rebounds in a season-low 19 minutes. Nikola Vucevic had 16 points and nine rebounds for Orlando.

In Philadelphia, Joel Embiid had 27 points and 14 rebounds, and J.J. Redick and Robert Covington hit key 3-pointers late to lead Philadelphia past Charlotte, 105-103.

In Miami, Goran Dragic scored 28 points, Dwyane Wade and Kelly Olynyk each had 19 and Miami scrambled in the final minutes to beat Portland, 120-111.

At Atlanta, Zach LaVine scored 27 points and Chicago was 7 of 10 from 3-point range in the fourth quarter to pull away from Atlanta en route to a 97-85 win.

In Memphis, Marc Gasol scored 19 points, Mike Conley added 18 and Memphis took a big lead in the first half before coasting past Phoenix, 117-96.

Complete Results:

Spurs 110, Lakers 106; Celtics 109, Pistons 89; Bucks 113, Magic 91; 76ers 105, Hornets 103; Heat 120, Trail Blazers 111; Bulls 97, Hawks 85; Grizzlies 117, Suns 96; Pacers 119, Cavaliers 107.

source: philstar.com

Lakers rip Nuggets

LeBron in groove, hits triple-double

LOS ANGELES – LeBron James had 28 points, 11 assists and 11 rebounds while leading the Los Angeles Lakers’ late rally for his first home victory at Staples Center, 128-111 over the previously unbeaten Denver Nuggets on Thursday night.

Kyle Kuzma scored 22 points and JaVale McGee added 21 to complement James’ 74th career triple-double, his first with his new team.

With Kobe Bryant watching from a courtside seat for the first time since LeBron’s arrival in LA, the Lakers trailed by eight points with six minutes left in the fourth quarter before Lance Stephenson started a 15-2 rally with back-to-back 3-pointers. Stephenson finished with 12 points.


James got Staples Center rocking on a go-ahead dunk with 3:31 to play before Lonzo Ball made an artful step-back 3-pointer. Kuzma added two huge dunks down the stretch of Los Angeles’ second win in two days after an 0-3 start.

Nikola Jokic scored 24 points for the Nuggets, who were off to their best start since the 2009-10 season. Jamal Murray scored 22 points and Monte Morris had 20, but Denver couldn’t answer the Lakers’ rally led by James, who posted his third career triple-double in Staples Center for his third different team.


In Oklahoma City, Jayson Tatum scored 24 points, and Boston rallied from a 16-point halftime deficit to beat winless Oklahoma City, 101-95.

Marcus Morris added 21 points, Al Horford had 19 and Kyrie Irving 15.

Paul George scored 22 points for Oklahoma City, but shot just 7 of 22. Russell Westbrook had 13 points, 15 rebounds and eight assists, but he shot 5 for 20. The Thunder and Cleveland Cavaliers are the only winless teams in the NBA.

Morris hit a 3-pointer with 27 seconds left to give the Celtics a 98-95 lead, and they held on.

Oklahoma City led 50-34 at halftime. Boston shot just 32 percent in the first half and missed all 11 of its 3-point attempts.

In Detroit, Andre Drummond had 26 points and 22 rebounds, and Detroit improved to 4-0 and dropped Cleveland to its sixth straight loss, 110-103, for the first time since 2003-04 – when LeBron James was a rookie.

source: philstar.com

Wall, Beal help Wizards get back at Lakers

WASHINGTON — Los Angeles Lakers point guard Lonzo Ball's cold-shooting start to his NBA career just keeps getting worse. For a change, the Washington Wizards managed to play the sort of defense that contributes to limiting an opponent's scoring.

John Wall and the Wizards managed to make a double-digit edge hold up against the Lakers this time, with the All-Star point guard scoring 23 points and Bradley Beal adding 22 while Washington held Ball to 3 for 12 on field-goal tries in a 111-95 victory over L.A. on Thursday night (Friday Manila time).

"They had an off-shooting night," Wizards coach Scott Brooks said, "but we participated in that."

Ball, who had 10 points, eight rebounds and eight assists, finished the night shooting 29.2 percent so far in the pros. That's the second-worst through a player's first 12 games in the shot-clock era, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

Asked about people constantly analyzing his unusual shooting motion — it looks something like a right-handed shot put released from the left side of his head — the No. 2 overall draft pick said: "I really don't even care, to be honest. I know I've got to just keep shooting and just improve it every game."

Lakers coach Luke Walton's take?

"He's an incredible player. He's 20 years old. He almost had a triple-double tonight. But any time you turn on any sports show, all they talk about is his shot," Walton said. "Is it extra pressure? One hundred percent. He's a rook who ... gets dissected by everybody."

Washington's Otto Porter Jr. finished with 20 points and 11 rebounds, while Markieff Morris scored 16 points, including a pair of 3s to open the third quarter.

Coming off a home loss in which they never held a lead against the NBA-worst Dallas Mavericks, the Wizards went up by as many as 21 against the Lakers, at 91-70 on Porter's turnaround fadeaway jumper with about 75 seconds remaining in the third quarter.

When these teams played each other in Los Angeles last month in the fourth game of the season for each, the Wizards led by 10 points entering the fourth quarter before the Lakers wound up winning 102-99 in overtime.

This time, L.A. pulled to 93-84 on Julius Randle's two-handed slam with about 8 minutes left. But a 3 by Beal soon built the hosts' advantage back to 15.

Defense has seemed to optional at times for the Wizards this season. But they held the Lakers to 36 percent Thursday.

"That's been one of our downfalls — ball-watching too much and trying to steal it in the backcourt and leaving our transition at risk of getting scored on," Beal said. "It was definitely a demand of Coach's: Get back in transition. Make sure we're defending our guy. Take pride in it."

T?ip-ins

Lakers: Seven players scored at least 10 points apiece, including Brandon Ingram, Kyle Kuzma, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Jordan Clarkson, Julius Randle and Brook Lopez. ... Came in averaging an NBA-high 56 points in the paint and 16 of their first 20 points came that way Thursday. L.A. finished with 48.

Wizards: Centers Marcin Gortat and Ian Mahinmi combined for 10 points and 11 personal fouls in 44 minutes.

R?ematch

There was plenty of Wall vs. Ball hype leading into that one — initially fueled, not surprisingly, by Ball's father, LaVar — although their matchup never become the game's focus.

Wall does all

Wall's night included a resounding lefty dunk over Lopez that Wall said showed his recently sprained left shoulder — which had strips of black tape on it — is doing OK. "That was my testimony to say it's cool," Wall said. At the defensive end, he had a couple of his trademark chase-down blocks, including one on Ingram that drew a roar from the sellout crowd of 20,356. "He might be the best ever at doing that," Brooks said.

B?ig Mo

Morris was playing in only his fourth game of the season because of offseason surgery and a suspension and left after 3½ minutes because his knee tightened up. But after riding a stationary bike, he returned, finishing 6 for 7 on field-goal attempts. "It's good to see him back to somewhat of his old self," Brooks said. "It's only going to get better from here."

source: philstar.com

Pelicans hold off huge Lakers rally for first win

LOS ANGELES — The New Orleans Pelicans were watching another double-digit lead evaporate, with the Los Angeles Lakers using a furious 27-4 run to take a five-point lead.

This time, the Pelicans were ready for the challenge.

They answered with an 11-0 run of their own to beat the Lakers 119-112 on Sunday night (Monday Manila time) for their first victory of the season.

"We have to stop letting off the gas when we have big leads," New Orleans center DeMarcus Cousins said. "This is something we've done the previous two games and we're trying to stop it on the fly."

The Pelicans (1-2) were able to ward off the challenge from the Lakers (1-2) behind 27 points and 17 rebounds from Anthony Davis, and 22 points and 11 rebounds from Cousins.

"We started off the game playing well," said Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry, who earned his 400th career victory. "Then in the third quarter, our transition defense just wasn't good."

The Lakers' late rally was led by reserves. Jordan Clarkson topped Los Angeles with 24 points, while Kyle Kuzma added 20 points to match guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.

Lakers prized rookie Lonzo Ball struggled with his shot (3 of 13) and finished with just eight points, but did contribute 13 assists and eight rebounds.

"I like Lonzo's aggressiveness, he just didn't make shots," Lakers coach Luke Walton said.

The Lakers missed their first eight shots of the game, falling behind by double digits early. New Orleans went up by as many as 22 in the second quarter and was still ahead 94-74 when the Lakers went on their run.

Clarkson and Kuzma scored the last nine points of the third, and then with reserves Julius Randle and Josh Hart aiding the comeback, outscored the Pelicans 18-4 to open the final period.

"We let them back in the game, and that's on us, but we kept fighting," Davis said.

New Orleans trailed 110-106 with 4:46 to play when it answered with its 11-0 run. E'Twaun Moore (19 points) and Cousins sparked the comeback, with Jameer Nelson — just signed Sunday — hitting a key 3-pointer.

"I think he already earned his contract," Gentry said. "He made the biggest shot of the night."

source: philstar.com

West thumps East in Kobe Bryant’s final All-Star Game

The West All-Stars breezed past the East All-Stars, 196-173, to conclude the 2016 NBA All-Star Weekend festivities that set the stage for a fitting tribute to retiring superstar Kobe Bryant.

The annual showcase played in Toronto, Canada for the first time centered on Bryant who played in a record 18th All-Star appearance. A video montage showing the highlights of his 20-year career was showed before the game in a ceremony em-ceed by Lakers great Magic Johnson.

“I just want to thank you guys for all your support all these years,” Bryant told the “Ko-be!” chanting crowd.

“I’ve just been extremely fortunate to play the game I love and be in the NBA for over half my life.”

“He’s the Michael Jordan of our era,” said Toronto Raptors point guard Kyle Lowry, an Eastern All-Star who like Bryant hails from Philadelphia.

“He’s the most competitive a lot of us have played against. And the things he’s done throughout his career and the things he’s done to change the game and motivate other players is unbelievable.”

Bryant, the top vote-getter in the All-Star Game, finished with 10 points, six boards and seven assists as his younger counterparts stole the spotlight.

Russell Westbrook won the NBA All-Star MVP award for the second straight year after piling up 31 points, eight rebounds and five assists.

“We were just playing lockup defense at the end,” said Russell, although for the most part defense wasn’t part of the program at the Air Canada Centre, where the annual exhibition was being held outside US borders for the first time.

Reigning NBA MVP scored 26 points, Anthony Davis had 24 while Kevin Durant and James Harden each had 23 markers. Chris Paul also collected 16 assists to go along with 14 points.

East’s Paul George top-scored the game with 41 points, one shy of tying the record for the most points made in an All-Star Game.

He just missed the All-Star single-game record of 42 points set by Wilt Chamberlain in 1962.

It was a night of soaring dunks and long-range bombs all adding up to unprecedented numbers.

The 369 total points was an All-Star Game record, as was the West’s 196 total and their 104 points in the second half.

The Western Conference made a record 31 three-pointers — including seven apiece from Westbrook and James Harden and six from Curry.

source: interaksyon.com

Michael Jordan praises ‘little brother’ Kobe Bryant

Michael Jordan paid tribute to Kobe Bryant in a pre-game video before Monday night’s matchup between the Los Angeles Lakers and Charlotte Hornets.

Jordan, who owns the Hornets, did not attend the game but made sure the retiring Bryant got a warm send off from the Charlotte organization.

“I’m a big fan,” said Jordan. “I still love watching you play.”

In the video, Jordan describes the 37-year-old Bryant as a “big help to the game of basketball.” He then refers to him as a little brother.

“We are very proud of what you have accomplished over the years. Have a great game. But not too good​.”

Jordan competed against Bryant in the latter part of his brilliant NBA career.

Bryant announced recently he would retire at the end of the 2015–16 season.

Star shock

Meanwhile, Bryant was stunned to learn he’s the runaway leader in fan voting for the 65th NBA All-Star Game as he battles through his 20th and final season with a lackluster Los Angeles Lakers team.

Amid debate earlier this month on whether he deserved an 18th all-star appearance, Bryant said it would be “great” to play once more in the mid-season exhibition, but said he’d support the showcase no matter what.

When early returns were announced on Friday, Bryant led the likes of reigning Most Valuable Player Stephen Curry of Golden State and Cleveland Cavaliers superstar LeBron James.

“I was like, ‘What the hell?’” the 37-year-old said. “Shocked doesn’t do it justice. It’s exciting. What can I say? Just thankful.”

source: interaksyon.com

Kobe Bryant sees Olympic gold a ‘beautiful’ ending to his career

Kobe Bryant says he’s not pushing to play on the US Olympic team in Rio, but the retiring Los Angeles Lakers guard said Monday it would make a “beautiful” ending to his 20-year career.

The 37-year-old American guard, a five-time NBA champion and gold medal winner at the 2008 Beijing and 2012 London Olympics, announced last month this would be his final NBA campaign after a historic career.

After battling nagging injuries for years, Bryant is fit but the Lakers are in a rebuilding mode and at 4-23 have the second-worst record in the NBA.

Missing the playoffs could leave Bryant rested and in form to become the first man in Olympic history to win three basketball gold medals, should he earn a spot on the two-time defending champion American squad.

“It’s not something I’m absolutely pressing for but being part of the Olympic experience is a beautiful thing,” Bryant said.

“It would be a beautiful thing to finish my career playing internationally. But that being said we will see how it goes.”

LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul and Deron Williams would also have the chance for an unprecedented men’s Olympic hat-trick at Rio, but for Bryant it would be a golden farewell.

“I try to look at my legacy as much as how do I impact the future, not where do I rank among the best players all time,” Bryant said when asked where he fell among NBA icons.

“It’s a moot point and for me it’s pretty much of a shallow argument. It’s how do I impact the generation of players coming in by what I have done. I think it has impacted the generation coming in a big way and they will pass that along to the next generation to come.”

Bryant, a 17-time NBA All-Star, was speaking ahead of his record-setting 16th career appearance in a Christmas NBA matchup, his Lakers hosting the rival Los Angeles Clippers on December 25. He is the all-time leader in scoring for games on the holiday.

Bryant has been nagged by injuries in recent seasons and is struggling with a sore right shoulder. He is averaging 16.7 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.4 assists a game this season for the Lakers, with career averages of 25.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1.5 steals a game.

“I would have loved to have played overseas but it’s not going to happen. Body won’t let me,” Bryant admitted.

“My body has been through a lot. And it’s very easy to forget I haven’t played because of it. My timing is off, my rhythm is off. It was about me continuing my training and believing my timing will come back and that’s what happened.”

Bryant said he expects the megastar trend of the NBA to continue in the wake of Michael Jordan, LeBron James and himself, saying, “I think there’s going to be a player in the next 10 years that’s going to rise above it all.”

Rising Aussie star

As bad as this season is going, the Lakers could be in position for the top pick in next year’s NBA Draft, and that could be Australian forward Ben Simmons, who is averaging 18.7 points, 13.9 rebounds and 5.8 assists a game this season as a freshman at Louisiana State University.

“He’s a tremendous player. He has got a lot of potential,” Bryant said of Simmons.

But Bryant warned that the Lakers carry a history of success that must be respected by those who would join them.

“It’s not about handing over the keys,” Bryant said. “For the players that are here, winning championships is the only goal. That’s the attitude.”

Bryant, who spent some of his youth in Italy, said he plans to be a global ambassador for the sport, naming Singapore and Africa as two of his planned destinations.

“I definitely plan on helping the game spread and helping kids all around the world understand all that surrounds the game and its potential,” Bryant said. “I look forward to visiting places like Africa and teaching the game.”

FIFA bans an ‘important first step’
He also called the eight-year bans issued Monday to FIFA president Sepp Blatter and UEFA president Michel Platini an “important first step” in cleaning up global football.

The American spent several years as a youth in Italy playing football and supporting AC Milan. He follows the sport and was clear in his condemnation of Blatter and Platini, barred for abusing their positions over a suspect $2 million (1.8 million euro) payment.

“It’s always a touchy thing. You are dealing with a big business,” Bryant said.

“I think this is an important first step to cleaning up the sport.

“With life being as brutal as it is, we come to sport as an escape. When something like this happens, it damages the emotional Shangri-La you get from sport.”

Bryant had confidence that those making efforts to revamp FIFA in the wake of the corruption will succeed.

“I’m sure they are on top of it and I’m sure they will get the sport back where we all want it to be,” Bryant said.

source: interaksyon.com

Kobe Bryant medically cleared for Lakers return

NBA superstar Kobe Bryant has been medically cleared for all basketball activities when the Los Angeles lakers open training camp this month, US media reported Thursday.

Bryant, who suffered a torn rotator cuff in his right shoulder in January, appears to be right on schedule in his recovery from a third straight season-ending injury.

His original prognosis called for a nine-month recovery after surgery.

ESPN.com and Bleacher Report cited league sources in reporting Bryant had been cleared to play.

The 37-year-old is entering his 20th NBA season, but it’s been some time since he completed a campaign.

An Achilles tendon injury cut short his 2012-13 season, and a knee injury ended his 2013-14 campaign.

Since he was granted a two-year, $48.5 million contract extension by the Lakers in 2013, he has played only 41 games.

But the Lakers insist they don’t regret a deal that will pay Bryant a league-leading $25 million this season, with club president Jim Buss saying in August that the aging superstar “deserves the money.”

Bryant has said he’ll decide after this season if he’s ready to retire, with Buss suggesting in August that the Lakers would be prepared to keep him on.

“It’s his decision,” Buss said, although he acknowledged that Bryant might have to accept a reduced role.

Bryant has played for the Lakers his entire NBA career, winning titles in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2009 and 2010.

The 17-time All-Star is a two-time NBA scoring champion, and also a two-time Olympic champion with the United States.

source: interaksyon.com