LEBRON James and Malik Monk combined for 55 points, including five 3-pointers in a fourth-quarter rally that allowed the host Los Angeles Lakers to overtake the Sacramento Kings 122-114 on Tuesday night (Wednesday in Manila).
James finished with a game-high 31 points and Monk had 24 as the Lakers won a third straight to open a five-game homestand. De’Aaron Fox scored a team-high 30 points and Buddy Hield tallied 26 for the Kings, who lost for just the second time in their last five games.
The Lakers trailed 96-89 with 8:11 remaining before riding 14 points from James and 11 from Monk in a 33-18 finish. James hit a pair of 3-pointers and Monk three as part of the flurry.
After James and Hield had split four consecutive lead-changing 3-pointers, Monk and Tyrese Haliburton exchanged two-point hoops. Monk gave the Lakers the lead for good, 112-110, with a 3-pointer with 2:50 to go.
In other games, it was the Raptors 129, Spurs 104; Grizzlies 110, Cavs 106; Knicks 104, Pacers 94; and Suns 123, Pelicans 110.
Raptors 129, Spurs 104
Fred VanVleet scored 24 of his 33 points in the first half and had seven assists as Toronto defeated visiting San Antonio.
VanVleet, who was 7 of 14 on 3-point attempts, has scored more than 30 points in each of the past three games as the Raptors have improved their record to .500 for the season, at 17-17. Pascal Siakam added 18 points, 12 rebounds and five assists for the Raptors, who have won three straight. Gary Trent Jr. contributed 21 points.
Former Raptor Jakob Poeltl scored 19 points and grabbed 12 rebounds for the Spurs, who have lost four in a row. Devin Vassell and Joshua Primo each scored 15 points. — Field Level Media
