NBA roundup: Davis lifts Lakers past Wizards, Celtics overpower Nets

Washington DC - Anthony Davis put up a sensational 55-point haul to lead the NBA's Los Angeles Lakers to their fourth straight road win, triumphing 130-119 over the Washington Wizards on Sunday.

Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis shoots as Washington Wizards center Kristaps Porzingis defends during the second half at Capital One Arena.
Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis shoots as Washington Wizards center Kristaps Porzingis defends during the second half at Capital One Arena.  © REUTERS

Davis, who scored 44 points against the Milwaukee Bucks in the Lakers' previous game, could not eclipse his career-high 59 points from 2016 against the Detroit Pistons.

But Davis' 55 points, coming from 22-of-30 field shooting and nine-of-nine shooting from the line, were the second most in a single game this NBA season, behind only Joel Embiid's 59 against the Utah Jazz on November 13.

The eight-time All-Star scored 31 of his 55 points in the second half, adding 17 rebounds and three blocks. Davis is the first Laker with back-to-back 40-point games since Kobe Bryant in March 2013.

Vince Carter, Chauncey Billups, and more inducted into Basketball Hall of Fame
NBA Vince Carter, Chauncey Billups, and more inducted into Basketball Hall of Fame

LeBron James, who had been listed as questionable due to an ankle issue, added 29 points on 12-of-26 field shooting with eight rebounds and six assists but committed five turnovers.

Russell Westbrook came off the bench to contribute a season-high 15 assists with seven rebounds, while guard Lonnie Walker IV added 20 points on four-of-four three-point shooting.

The Wizards were not helped by a game-ending first-quarter injury to All-Star Bradley Beal. Kristaps Porzingis top scored for the Wizards with 27 points on 11-of-25 shooting, while ex-Laker Kyle Kuzma added 26 points with seven rebounds before fouling out.

The victory improved the Lakers to 10-12, having won three games in a row, but they remain 12th in the Western Conference.

Around the league

Left: Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown looks to drive past Brooklyn Nets forward Nic Claxton in the second quarter at Barclays Center. Right: Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker shoots over San Antonio Spurs forward Isaiah Roby in the first half at the AT&T Center.
Left: Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown looks to drive past Brooklyn Nets forward Nic Claxton in the second quarter at Barclays Center. Right: Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker shoots over San Antonio Spurs forward Isaiah Roby in the first half at the AT&T Center.  © Collage: REUTERS

The NBA-best Boston Celtics ended the Brooklyn Nets' four-game winning streak and six-game winning home stand on 34 points from Jaylen Brown as they triumphed 103-92.

Brown led the way for the Celtics with 20 of his 34 points in the first quarter, finishing also with 10 rebounds, while Jayson Tatum scored 29 points on 10-of-19 field shooting with 11 rebounds.

Kyrie Irving struggled against his former franchise, shooting seven-of-21 from the field for 18 points with eight rebounds and five assists. Kevin Durant top scored for the Nets with 31 points but gave up eight turnovers.

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The Western Conference-leading Phoenix Suns condemned the San Antonio Spurs to 11 straight losses with a 133-95 blowout win led by Deandre Ayton's double-double.

Suns center Ayton finished with 25 points and 10 rebounds, while Devin Booker added 20 points on seven-of-16 field shooting, with Mikal Bridges making six-of-seven triples in his 20 points.

The struggling Spurs were blown away in a 36-11 second quarter, seeing them close within two defeats of a franchise-worst losing streak, set in 1989.

Cover photo: Collage: REUTERS

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