LeBron James scored 32 points, D’Angelo RussellI was 19 and the the Los Angeles Lakers ended a three-game losing streak by defeating the Phoenix Suns 122-119 Friday night during the NBA In-Season tournament.
James turned in an outstanding performance, once again defying age in his 21st season, shooting 11 of 17 from the field, including 3 of 4 from 3. He added 11 rebounds and six assists in 36 minutes.
Kevin Durant led the Suns with 38 points and Bradley Beal added 24-20 in the first half. Devin Booker missed his fourth straight game with a right calf strain.
Austin Reaves made a layup with 9:25 left — part of a 14-0 run — to give the Lakers their first lead of the second half at 97-96. Reaves added a few mid-range jumpers in the fourth to help Los Angeles stay in the lead.
Reddish Cam had 17 points, including a corner 3 off a pass from James that put the Lakers up 118-113 with 1:10 left. Los Angeles grabbed three offensive rebounds at the position before Reddish fired a shot.
James limped back after being fouled in the first quarter, clutching his lower left leg. The 38-year-old star received medical treatment on the bench before returning for the start of the second quarter.
He looked good the rest of the night, helping orchestrate the Lakers’ comeback.
Durant scored 15 points in the third quarter as the Suns held a single-digit lead. Reddish hit a 3 at the buzzer to cut Phoenix’s advantage to 96-89 heading into the fourth.
The ace Anthony Davis returned after missing one game with a hip injury and had 18 points, 11 rebounds and four assists.
Beal – making his home debut for the Suns – made a layup in traffic at the halftime buzzer to give the Suns a 63-55 lead after leading by as many as 14. James had 19 points at halftime.
FOLLOWING
Lakers: Host Portland on Sunday night.
Suns: Host Oklahoma City on Sunday night.
Associated Press reporting
the Los Angeles Lakers
Phoenix Suns
National Basketball Association
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