Nets preponderated 109–98 against the Lakers in a game between the top two contenders in the league
James Harden had 23 points, five rebounds and 11 assists, Joe Harris added 21 points five rebounds and six three-pointers and Brooklyn Nets beat 109-98 Lakers on Thursday night.
Nets won this NBA title-contenders type of match and improved to 4-0 despite missing a key players such as Kevin Durant who hasn't played in any of the last three games as he is dealing with a strained left hamstring.
They have won four straight road games for the first time since December 2008. They’ve also got seven straight wins over Western Conference opponents for their longest streak since November 2006, and their three straight wins over the Lakers at Staples Center is the longest run in franchise history.
“I don’t think we’re getting too carried away,” Brooklyn coach Steve Nash said. “We played a solid game and got a good win on the road, but it’s early and we’ve got a lot of growing to do. We have to take the opportunity to get better regardless of the results, but it also feels sweet when you go out West and win some games."
LeBron James had 32 points, eight rebounds and seven assists and had a remarkable performance despite going 1/6 from the perimeter - he was great but the absence of a pure second force such as Anthony Davis made an appreciable difference on the court.
“Missing AD and then our starting point guard in Dennis, it’s a big blow for us,” James said. “But they’re missing key players as well. Neither team was full strength. We just didn’t play up to our capabilities tonight. Give them credit.”
Davis missed his second straight game after aggravating his strained right calf and Achilles last weekend. The Lakers also played without Schröder, a late scratch under the NBA’s health and safety protocols.
Kyle Kuzma had a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds, while Kentavious Caldwell Pope (9 points), Marc Gasol (8 points) and Montrezl Harrell (10 points) could definitely have offered more.
“Obviously AD is an MVP-caliber player, and then Dennis, he’s our engine,” Lakers guard Quinn Cook said. “He makes everything go with his pace and his defense. Guys have to step up, but to lose him right before tipoff, it’s something we definitely haven’t dealt with all season.”
LEBRON’S MILESTONE
James became the third player in NBA history with 35,000 points on a free throw in the final minute of the first half. Only Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (38,387) and Karl Malone (36,928) had hit the milestone previously, and both Hall of Famers were older at the time than James, who was also the youngest in NBA history to 5,000 points, 10,000 points, 20,000 points and 30,000 points.
James also recorded his 30th straight game with at least 15 points, five rebounds and five assists, matching the NBA record shared by himself in 2018 and Oscar Robertson in 1964.
James received his 17th consecutive All-Star invitation earlier in the day and was named a captain for the game, along with Durant.