NBA: Pacers rout James, Lakers 136-94
(Mainichi Japan)
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- Bojan Bogdanovic scored 24 points and the Indiana Pacers tied an NBA record by making 19 3-pointers in a 136-94 win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night, handing LeBron James the most lopsided loss of his career.
James' teams lost by 36 points twice previously.
Myles Turner had 22 points to help the Pacers pick up their third consecutive victory. Thaddeus Young finished with 12 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists.
James had 18 points, nine rebounds and seven assists in his second game back since injuring his groin on Christmas Day. He didn't play in the fourth quarter.
JaVale McGee had 16 points for the Lakers, who have lost two straight and six of their last eight.
CELTICS 103, CAVALIERS 96
CLEVELAND (AP) -- Jayson Tatum scored 25 points, and Boston earned its fifth straight victory despite missing All-Star guard Kyrie Irving.
A strained left hip prevented Irving from facing his former team, but the Celtics made up for his absence by getting 18 points from Gordon Hayward and 17 from Marcus Smart.
Rookie Collin Sexton scored 27 -- but none in the fourth quarter -- for the Cavs, who dropped to 3-20 since Dec. 19. Alec Burks, who has been linked to recent trade talks, added 21 for Cleveland. Larry Nance Jr. had 11 points and 12 rebounds.
Celtics coach Brad Stevens said Irving, who is averaging a team-high 23.8 points per game, may return Thursday when Boston hosts LeBron James and the Lakers, hours after the NBA's trade deadline.
CLIPPERS 117, HORNETS 115
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -- Tobias Harris scored 34 points, including a running jumper with 4.3 seconds remaining, and the Clippers rallied from 20 points down to secure the road win.
Charlotte had a chance to tie or take the lead on its last possession, but Marvin Williams' 3-point attempt was short at the buzzer.
Lou Williams scored 31 points for the Clippers. Montrezl Harrell added 16 and Patrick Beverley had 15 points in Los Angeles' third road game in four days.
Kemba Walker scored 32 points and Jeremy Lamb added 22 for the Hornets.
It was the second time this season Charlotte lost a game after leading by 20.
