From The Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — LeBron James passed Karl Malone for second in the NBA’s career scoring charts, but it was part of another defeat for his Los Angeles Lakers as the Washington Wizards closed a 16-point deficit for a 127 -119 victory overcame .
James scored 38 points to set career 36,947 points and Russell Westbrook added 22 on his return to Washington, but the Lakers’ small lineups couldn’t stop 7-foot-3 Kristaps Porzingis, who scored 16 of his 27 points in the last quarter scored .
Porzingis connected with a 3-pointer with 38 seconds remaining to set the Wizards up at six and James was unable to reply at the other end. Washington beat the Lakers 34-20 in the fourth quarter.
James is only behind Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in the career scoring lead. He went into the game 19 points behind Malone. After a six-point quarter in the first quarter, James pulled off a scoring binge in the second quarter that included a dunk and three 3-pointers.
Abdul-Jabbar scored 38,387 points. James has a chance to break that record next season if he’s healthy enough.
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WOODWOLVES 139, goats 119
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Karl-Anthony Towns had 25 points and 11 rebounds and Minnesota beat Milwaukee with the Bucks missing Giannis Antetokounmpo with right knee pain.
Anthony Edwards also scored 25 points for Minnesota in a matchup that was bid early. The Timberwolves’ Patrick Beverley and Milwaukee’s George Hill were ejected after a skirmish in the first quarter.
Minnesota won for the 10th time in 11 games. The Timberwolves shot 22 of 47 of 3 and walked 9 of 14 in the third. Khris Middleton scored 15 points for Milwaukee.
HORNETS 129, MAVERICKS 108
CHARLOTTE, NC (AP) — Miles Bridges scored 23 points, PJ Washington added a season-high 21 and Charlotte defeated road-weary Dallas for their fourth straight win.
Terry Rozier had 18 points, and LaMelo Ball and Kelly Oubre had 17 points each for the Hornets. They shot 20 of 42 from 3-point range.
Luka Doncic had 37 points and eight 3s for the Mavericks. They played their fifth road game in eight nights and a back-to-back on the second night.
CAVALIERE 113, PISTON 109
CLEVELAND (AP) — All-star point guard Darius Garland had 24 points and 12 assists and Cleveland beat Detroit.
The Cavaliers racked up 41 wins, guaranteeing their first undefeated season in four years.
Jerami Grant scored 27 of his season-best 40 first-half points for Detroit.
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