LeBron James scored 32 points, D’Angelo Russell added 19 and the Los Angeles Lakers snapped a three-game losing streak with a 122-119 victory over the Phoenix Suns in the NBA midseason championship on Friday night.
James played an outstanding performance and once again challenged his age in his 21st season, shooting 11 of 17 from the field, including 3 of 4 three-pointers. He added 11 rebounds and six assists in 36 minutes.
Kevin Durant scored a Suns-high 38 points in the first half, while Bradley Beal scored 24-20. Devin Booker missed his fourth straight game with a strained right calf.
Austin Reeves’ layup with 9:25 left capped a 14-0 run that gave the Lakers their first lead of the second half, 97-96. Reeves hit a couple of mid-range jumpers in the fourth quarter to help Los Angeles stay ahead.
Cam Reddish scored 17 points, including a corner 3 off a James pass, giving the Lakers a 118-113 lead with 1:10 left. Los Angeles grabbed three offensive rebounds before Reddish’s shot.
James was fouled in the first quarter and limped to his left calf. The 38-year-old star received some treatment on the bench before the start of the second quarter.
He looked good all night, helping the Lakers comeback.
Durant scored 15 points in the third quarter and the Suns took a single-digit lead. Reddish hit a three-pointer at the buzzer, and the Suns narrowed their advantage to 96-89 in the fourth quarter.
Los Angeles’ Anthony Davis returned after missing one game with a hip injury and scored 18 points, 11 rebounds and four assists.
Beal’s layup at the halftime buzzer in the Suns’ home debut gave the Suns a 14-point lead, 63-55. James scored 19 points in the half.
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Lakers: Host Portland on Sunday night.
Suns: Host Oklahoma City on Sunday night.
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