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THE ANGELS: Anthony Davis scored 28 points and LeBron James had 22 and became the second-highest Christmas scorer in NBA history during the Los Angeles Lakers’ 138-115 win over the Dallas Mavericks on Friday night (Saturday in Manila).
Montrezl Harrell scored 17 of his 22 points in the second half, and Dennis Schröder had 18 points and six assists in a strong second game for the two new additions to the NBA champions. Los Angeles rebounded Dallas 53-27 and closed its first win of the season with a dominant fourth quarter.
Luka Doncic had 27 points and seven assists in his first starring role in the NBA Christmas night game for Dallas. Josh Richardson and Trey Burke each had 17 points as the Mavs started 0-2 with a late fade at Staples Center.
James moved to second place behind Kobe Bryant with the most points scored this Christmas, beating Oscar Robertson in the third quarter. James has 383 points in 15 Christmas games, while Bryant has 395 in 16 Christmas appearances.
The Lakers were aggressive and accurate from the early lead, taking a 69-57 lead at halftime while hitting 61.4 percent of their shots.
Doncic was 3-of-10 in the first half, but combined with Burke for 22 points in the third quarter to keep him close.
Irving scores 37, leads Nets to 123-95 win over Celtics
Kyrie Irving scored 37 points with eight assists on his return to Boston and Kevin Durant added 29 for Brooklyn on Friday to lead the Nets to a 123-95 victory over the Celtics.
Jarrett Allen added 11 rebounds for the Nets, who have been perfect so far this season and sent Boston to their first loss. Irving was 7 of 10 from 3-point range in his first regular-season game at TD Garden since his contract with the Celtics was terminated in 2019.
“We will continue to see them. We’re in the same division, ”Irving said, adding that there was“ nothing added ”to his motivation playing his former team.
Jaylen Brown scored 27 with eight rebounds for the Celtics and Jayson Tatum had 20 points and eight rebounds. The Celtics beat Milwaukee in their opener Wednesday with Tatum’s last-second shot over Giannis Antetokounmpo, but were unable to do so again in their second straight meeting against a team expected to compete in the Eastern Conference this season.
“The benefit of playing these two games against two other great teams is that it forces you to be better,” said Celtics guard Marcus Smart. “He tests you to see where you are, sets the bar and now you know what you have to fight for.”
The game began after a moment of silence for former Celtics player and coach KC Jones, who died early Friday.
Durant scored 16 points in the third quarter as the Nets edged Boston 35-23 to turn a three-point deficit into an 86-77 lead. He scored nine straight Brooklyn points at the start of the third as the Nets took the lead forever.
“It’s still awesome after all these years,” Nets coach Steve Nash said. “For him, having little careers like that is nothing on his mind. For mere mortals in the NBA, it’s impossible to think about that. “
Boston led by three at the half before being outscored 35-23 in the third quarter, including a 9-0 run that turned a three-point lead into an 82-70 lead. It was 86-79 early in the quarter when the Nets, even with Irving and Durant on the bench, again scored nine in a row to open a 16-point lead.
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