LEBRON James returned from a one-game absence to record a triple-double of 23 points leading the LA Lakers to a 136-124 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies in the NBA continued, Thursday (28/3).
James missed the Lakers’ double overtime win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday with a left ankle injury.
Anthony Davis, who played nearly 52 minutes on Tuesday, was sidelined with a hyperextended left knee, but Rui Hachimura provided a big boost, hitting seven of eight three-point attempts for 32 points with 10 rebounds to help the Lakers win their game. fifth in a row, as they compete to get out of the play-in tournament and straight into the playoffs.
Against a Grizzlies team coming off an injury-ravaged season, the Lakers led by eight points at halftime and never trailed following the break.
James added 14 rebounds and 12 assists for his fourth triple-double of the season.
The 39-year-old superstar, who said he had to be “strategic” in dealing with the ankle injuries that have plagued him frequently this season, said he had not changed his game because of Davis’ absence.
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“Read and react to the play, see how the defense is playing and see the rhythm of my players,” he said of his approach.
“It was great to get back out there with them and be able to do a lot of things tonight to help us win.”
The Golden State Warriors, powered by 23 points from Andrew Wiggins and two late shots from Stephen Curry, beat the Magic 101-93 in Orlando, despite Draymond Green’s exit just 3 minutes 36 seconds into the game.
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Curry was left shaking his head when Green was fouled, receiving two quick technical fouls for fiercely arguing the foul call.
It was the fourth ejection of the season for Green, who missed 16 games following he was suspended in December for swinging his arm at Suns center Jusuf Nurkic’s head.
Curry was clearly frustrated by the incident, shaking his head and covering his face with his T-shirt.
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But the Warriors, clinging to their tenuous position in the final play-in spot in the Western Conference, regrouped to finish the first quarter with a 27-11 lead they mightn’t shake off.
“It’s a shame,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said of Green’s ejection. “It is deeply regretted. He deserves it and he will bounce back.”
“I’m proud of the people who have stepped forward.”
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The Warriors led by as many as 15 points midway through the third quarter, but that number dwindled to six heading into the fourth and the Magic cut the lead to one with 2:41 remaining.
Gary Payton II’s layup gave the Warriors some breathing room before Curry hit a hook shot with 1:09 left to make it 98-93.
Curry followed with a game-winning 3-pointer with 33.8 seconds remaining, following up his customary “night-in” celebration with an emotional kick from a courtside chair.
Wiggins, who scored 13 points in the fourth quarter, also made a big block on Franz Wagner’s shot in the final seconds. (AFP/Z-7)
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