LeBron scores 33, dominates second OT, Lakers edge Pistons 135-129

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LOS ANGELES (AP) — LeBron James scored eight of his 33 factors within the second additional time, Anthony Davis added 30 factors and the Los Angeles Lakers narrowly avenged a loss in Detroit final month with a 135-129 victory over the undermanned Pistons on Saturday night time.

Dennis Schroder had 22 factors and eight assists within the defending NBA champions’ fourth consecutive victory since that 107-92 loss to the Pistons 9 days in the past.

The Lakers dedicated a season-high 23 turnovers, blew a 17-point lead and wasted a number of possibilities to win in regulation. Solely James’ brilliance within the second additional time prevented Los Angeles from being swept by the 5-18 Pistons, who have been enjoying with out Derrick Rose and Blake Griffin on the second night time of a back-to-back set to shut out an eight-day West Coast journey.

“Give them credit score,” Lakers coach Frank Vogel stated. “They stored enjoying exhausting, and so they obtained sizzling from behind the arc. We didn’t do issues nicely sufficient, and so they have been in a position to get again within the sport.”

Moments after James hit the go-ahead layup in double OT, he made a tricky step-back 3-pointer with 1:17 left and added one other step-back 27-footer with 34 seconds to play.

“I used to be simply able to go,” James stated. “I’m 36 years outdated, and … my coronary heart just isn’t sustainable for 2 overtimes at this level in my profession. I’ve obtained a bottle of wine at dwelling able to be opened, and I delayed it for 2 additional time intervals.”

Jerami Grant scored 32 factors and Josh Jackson added 25 of his 28 after halftime for the Pistons, who had one other improbably robust displaying towards the NBA’s elite. Delon Wright scored 22 factors in Detroit’s fourth consecutive loss since beating LA.

“We will positively construct off it,” Wright stated. “If we take the champions to double additional time, which means we will compete with anyone on this league on any given night time.”

Jackson led the Pistons’ rally whereas the Lakers went scoreless within the closing 4:06 of regulation. He tied it on a driving layup with 3.1 seconds left, and James missed a driving layup on the buzzer.

The Lakers missed 9 consecutive photographs throughout an almost six-minute scoreless droop stretching into the primary additional time. However Alex Caruso scored 5 fast factors to get Los Angeles again in it, and Davis made a tying dunk with 18.1 seconds left earlier than Grant missed a floater on the buzzer.

Rose was inactive for what coach Dwane Casey known as private causes amid widespread commerce rumors linking the previous MVP with the Knicks and Clippers.

Griffin additionally sat out to relaxation on the second night time of a back-to-back, however the remaining Pistons nonetheless hit 16 3-pointers and shredded the NBA’s greatest defensive staff of their highest-scoring efficiency of the season.

“I used to be pleased with the way in which the blokes performed,” Casey stated. “There’s so many studying conditions for younger gamers and our guys to play towards an excellent staff just like the Lakers. We’ve got no margin for error, however the effort, the togetherness, the psychological toughness is what we’re attempting to construct.”

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LeBron scores 33, dominates second OT, Lakers edge Pistons 135-129 initially appeared on NBCSports.com

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