LOS ANGELES — — LeBron James had 28 factors, 12 assists and 6 rebounds, and the short-handed Los Angeles Lakers clinched home-court benefit within the first spherical of the playoffs with their 101-73 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Friday evening.
Luke Kennard scored 19 factors and Rui Hachimura added 13 for the Lakers, who might be both the third or fourth seed within the Western Conference regardless of ending the common season with out injured stars Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.
Los Angeles (52-29) is one recreation behind third-place Denver (53-28) with one recreation left, however LA holds the tiebreaker over the Nuggets.
The Lakers gained their second straight and their fifteenth in 19 video games with a classic efficiency from the 41-year-old James, who confirmed no weariness on the second evening of a back-to-back set by which he scored 54 factors on 63.6% capturing (21 for 33).
James additionally recorded the 12,000th help of his profession within the first half, changing into solely the fourth NBA participant to succeed in the milestone.
The NBA scoring king racked up 14 factors within the first quarter, and he added six factors and 7 assists within the second half whereas ensuring the Lakers’ lead stayed agency.
Dillon Brooks scored 12 factors for the Suns, who’re seventh within the West standings and locked into the highest spot within the play-in event.
Devin Booker sat out for Phoenix to relaxation his injured proper ankle for the postseason, and Jalen Green additionally sat with proper knee soreness. Collin Gillespie and Grayson Allen performed within the first half, however sat within the second half of the Suns’ lowest-scoring efficiency of the season.
The Lakers’ harm woes stay dire, however Marcus Smart had six factors and 7 assists towards Phoenix in his return from a nine-game harm absence.
James scored or assisted on 9 of the Lakers’ first 10 area targets whereas they streaked to an early 16-point lead.
Suns: At Oklahoma City on Sunday.
Lakers: Host Utah on Sunday.
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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA
