Washington, Feb 6 (Prensa Latina) After five games out due to injury, star LeBron James returned to NBA basketball to help the Los Angeles Lakers beat the New York Knicks 122-115 in overtime.
The “King” recorded his fourth triple-double of the season with 29 points, 10 rebounds and the same number of assists and led the comeback of more than 15 points that the Los Angeles team made in the second half of the clash.
For the New York team, power forwards RJ Barrett and Julius Randle emerged as the big men by scoring 32 and 36 units, respectively, although it was not enough to guarantee victory.
The result of the game returns the Lakers to the path of success in the Western Conference and now they exhibit a 26-28 record to be in ninth place, with access to the “play in” tournament.
The Knicks, meanwhile, lost a good chance to get closer to the qualifying zone and are in 12th place with a balance of 24-29.
In other games on Saturday night, the Phoenix Suns extended their winning record and reached 42 wins -the most of the campaign- by defeating the Washington Wizards 95-80, highlighting center Deandre Ayton, author of 20 cartons and 16 rebounds.
Memphis Grizzlies was another that added a new smile to the West by subduing Orlando 135-115 thanks to another luxurious night for Ja Morant (33 points, five rebounds, seven assists).
Meanwhile, the Miami Heat beat the Charlotte Hornets 104-86 and tied for the top of the East with the Chicago Bulls (33-19) by becoming the first team to add 34 wins in that conference, with 20 losses.
The Milwaukee Bucks (33-21) appear very close to the leaders, after beating the Portland Trail Blazers 137-108, with an outstanding contribution of 30 points from Bobby Portis.
This Sunday’s billboard offers eight games and the most attractive will be the one that faces the Philadelphia Sixers and Chicago Bulls, two of the main candidates in the East.
jha/rps
