STEPHEN Curry bombed in Golden State’s final points on a 3-pointer with 1:07 remaining and the Warriors forced LeBron James into an errant 3-pointer at the horn, completing a shocking 115-113 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday (Tuesday in Manila).
James countered with two free throws with 51.2 seconds left and Los Angeles’ Dennis Schroder made one 21 seconds later to slice the deficit to two. After Curry missed a jumper, the Lakers had one final possession with 11.3 seconds left.
After a timeout, James could do no better than get an off-balance 28-footer that missed the mark, ending the Lakers’ five-game winning streak.
After trailing by as many as 19 points in the first quarter, the Warriors clawed back into contention, but the Lakers retained a 106-97 advantage with 5:52 to go.
Brad Wanamaker then ignited what turned into a 15-2 run with consecutive hoops to get the visitors within 106-101.
After Schroder hit two free throws to open the gap to seven, Curry took over, scoring five consecutive points to get Golden State within 108-106 with 3:13 to play.
Kelly Oubre Jr. got the Warriors even for the first time since the first quarter at the 3:10 mark, after which Draymond Green, who had totaled just three points to that point, hit consecutive interior shots for a 112-108 advantage with 1:39 to go.
Oubre had 23 points, Eric Paschall 19, and Andrew Wiggins 18 to back Curry for the Warriors.
Green complemented seven points with team highs in rebounds (eight) and assists (nine) for the Warriors, who snapped a two-game losing streak.
Schroder had 25 points to pace the Lakers, who are 7-0 on the road this season but just 4-4 at home.
James finished with 19 points, Anthony Davis and Montrezl Harrell 17 apiece and Kyle Kuzma 15 for the Lakers, who shot just 9-for-29 on 3-point attempts and were outscored 36-27 from beyond the arc.
In other games, it was the Nets 125, Bucks 123; Knicks 91, Magic 84; Bulls 125, Rockets 120; Spurs 125, Blazers 104; Heat 113, Pistons 107; Hawks 108, Wolves 97; Grizzlies 108, Suns 104; Raptors 116, Mavericks 93.
Brooklyn Nets 125 — Bucks 123
James Harden collected 34 points and 12 assists, Kevin Durant added 30 points, including the go-ahead 3-pointer with 36.8 seconds left, and the Brooklyn Nets outlasted the Milwaukee Bucks.
Harden became the first Net to score at least 30 points in each of his first two games with the team. He also grabbed a key rebound with 38 seconds left when he missed a 3-pointer and got the offensive board. He quickly found Durant, who calmly knocked down a 3-pointer from the top of the key to give Brooklyn the lead for good at 125-123.
Durant surpassed 30 points for the fourth time in five games since returning from missing three games due to health and safety protocols. His trey helped Brooklyn win its fourth straight and end an eight-game home losing streak to Milwaukee.
Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 34 points for Milwaukee, which saw a four-game winning streak stopped. He also grabbed 12 rebounds while shooting 13 of 26 from the floor. Khris Middleton added 25 and Jrue Holiday contributed 22 as Milwaukee shot 43.8 percent and misfired on 26 of 37 3-point tries. — Field Level Media
