Los Angeles (USA) (EFE).- Just 89 points away from becoming the top scorer in history, LeBron James grabbed the headlines this Tuesday in the NBA along with some Nuggets who continue to set the pace in the West and that further plunged some Pelicans into a coma.
Knicks 123-Lakers 129
With a triple-double of 28 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists at Madison Square Garden, LeBron was the best of the Lakers in the overtime victory against Jalen Brunson’s New York Knicks (37 points and 6 assists).
With his sights set on Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s scoring record (38,387 points), LeBron set another impressive record on Tuesday, passing Steve Nash and Mark Jackson to become the fourth-leading passer in league history.
Nuggers 122-Pelicans 113
Nikola Jokic (a huge triple-double with 26 points, 18 rebounds and 15 assists) and Jamal Murray (32 points on 7-of-12 triples) were too much dynamite for a Pelicans who have lost their last nine games.
CJ McCollum and Herbert Jones, with 21 points per head, were the benchmarks in attack for some Pelicans who are counting the days until Zion Williamson returns from his injury.
The Spanish Willy Hernangómez had 6 points and 2 rebounds in 9 minutes with New Orleans while the Puerto Rican José Alvarado had 3 points, a rebound and 2 assists in 14 minutes.
Cavaliers 97-Heat 100
The Miami Heat survived Donovan Mitchell’s buzzer-beater 3-point attempt to earn a valuable home court victory for the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Jimmy Butler (23 points) and Evan Mobley (19 points and 7 rebounds) were the top scorers for Miami and Cleveland, respectively, in this powerful duel for the East.
The Spanish Ricky Rubio stood out for the Cavaliers with 8 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists in 17 minutes.
Bucks 124-Hornets 115
Giannis Antetokounmpo had 34 points and 18 rebounds as the Milwaukee Bucks posted their fifth consecutive victory.
LaMelo Ball’s triple-double (27 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists) was useless for Charlotte.
Bulls 103-Clippers 108
Kawhi Leonard, with 33 points and a key steal on the last play, was the leader of the Los Angeles Clippers, who have accumulated six victories in the last seven games.
Nikola Vucevic (23 points and 14 rebounds) was the top scorer for some very fine Bulls in aiming (49% in field goals and 50% in triples) but who crashed with 20 turnovers.
LeBron: “I’m happy to be together with some of the best in history”
LeBron James was proud to place his name among the great legends of basketball.
“I’m happy to be together with some of the best, of course,” he said at the press conference after the Los Angeles Lakers’ victory over the New York Knicks after extra time (123-129).
After his triple-double of 28 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists against the Knicks, LeBron only needs 89 more points to surpass Abdul-Jabbar’s legendary mark (38,387 points).
Considering that he is averaging 30.2 points per game and that the Lakers have two other away games this week (Indiana Pacers and New Orleans Pelicans), the record could fall next Tuesday against Oklahoma City or Thursday against the Los Angeles Lakers. Milwaukee Bucks, both games at home.
In addition, LeBron surpassed Steve Nash and Mark Jackson on Tuesday to become the fourth highest assist in history.
He only has three legendary point guards ahead: John Stockton, Jason Kidd and Chris Paul.
“Is incredible. It is what I love to do: involve my teammates, try to put the ball on time and at the exact point for my teammates, “he said.
His best bodyguard in the Lakers, Anthony Davis, pointed out that the entire franchise is eager and excited to see LeBron reach the NBA record for top scorer.
“We are excited (for him). It’s a huge achievement,” said the center.
“It will probably be a surreal moment for all of us but it will be more so for him,” he added.
In another sense, LeBron took advantage of the victory against the Knicks, which broke a four-game losing streak for the Lakers in overtime, to once again criticize the referees for the controversial ending last week in the game against the Boston Celtics, when they fell in extra time after a very clear whistle from Jayson Tatum to the Los Angeles star was not whistled.
“The game (against the Knicks) was decided by the players. In Boston it was decided by the referees », he sentenced.
