Davis' 26 send Lakers past Heat 95-80 for 7th straight win

Anthony Davis had 26 points and nine rebounds, and LeBron James scored 12 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter of the Los Angeles Lakers' seventh consecutive victory, 95-80 over the Miami Heat on Friday night.

James hit a pair of clutch 3-pointers in the waning minutes to seal another victory for the NBA-leading Lakers, who haven't lost since their season opener against the Clippers.

Los Angeles' superstar duo teamed up impressively again, but the Lakers held off Jimmy Butler and the Heat with solid team defense.

Los Angeles Lakers' LeBron James (23) signals during the first half of the team's NBA basketball game against the Miami Heat on Friday, Nov. 8, 2019, in Los Angeles. (AP PhotoMarcio Jose Sanchez)

The Lakers held Miami to one field goal and six points in the final 8:54, limiting the Heat to 6-of-35 shooting on 3-pointers and outrebounding them 48-37 to win a meeting of division leaders off to outstanding starts to the new season.

Butler scored 22 points and Goran Dragic added 19 for the Heat, who still lead the Southeast Division despite losing twice on their three-game Western road trip.

The Lakers returned home looking good after a 3-0 road trip with tough victories at Dallas and San Antonio. Davis and James have already formed a fluid partnership, and their complementary players are growing into their roles while the Lakers play already solid defense.

Miami Heat's Jimmy Butler (22) shoots over Los Angeles Lakers' JaVale McGee (7) and LeBron James (23) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Nov. 8, 2019, in Los Angeles. (AP PhotoMarcio Jose Sanchez)

Miami led for only one possession despite employing a zone defense that bothered the Lakers' offense early on. Los Angeles swiftly adjusted to the scheme and moved the ball effectively, getting 25 assists on its 33 baskets in the first three quarters.

Butler scored nine points in the third quarter to keep Miami in striking distance despite its 3-for-24 start on 3-pointers, including 11 consecutive misses spanning halftime.

TIP-INS

Miami Heat's Bam Adebayo (13) dunks past Los Angeles Lakers' Dwight Howard (39) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Nov. 8, 2019, in Los Angeles. (AP PhotoMarcio Jose Sanchez )

Heat: Dwyane Wade watched from the baseline near the Miami bench. The retired superstar spoke to the Heat earlier in the day. Wade and his wife, Gabrielle Union, are living in nearby Sherman Oaks. Wade's oldest son, Zaire, is playing high school basketball with Bronny James at Sierra Canyon. ... Derrick Jones Jr. sat out with a left hip strain. Justise Winslow is in the concussion protocol.

Lakers: Rajon Rondo still isn't ready to make his season debut. He has a strained right calf. ... Alex Caruso closed the game for LA, finishing with six points and four assists along with several heady defensive plays. ... Chargers running back Melvin Gordon watched from courtside.

UP NEXT

Los Angeles Lakers' LeBron James, right, is defended by Miami Heat's James Johnson during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Nov. 8, 2019, in Los Angeles. (AP PhotoMarcio Jose Sanchez)

Heat: Host the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday.

Lakers: Host the Toronto Raptors on Sunday.

More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Paolo Banchero had 31 points and 14 rebounds, Jalen Suggs added 24 points and the Orlando Magic handed Cleveland the worst playoff loss in franchise history, winning 121-83 on Thursday night to cut the Cavaliers’ lead to 2-1 in their Eastern Conference first-round series.

Franz Wagner finished with 16 points and eight assists for the Magic, who led by 43 points in the fourth quarter on the way to the third-largest margin of victory in a playoff game. They earned their first playoff victory since 2019 and the first on their home floor since April 26, 2011.

They can even the series with a victory at home Sunday.

Jarrett Allen had 15 points and eight rebounds for the Cavaliers, who shot 39% from the field and 23.5% from 3-point range. Caris LeVert added 15 points and Donovan Mitchell had 13 points and seven assists.

76ERS 125, KNICKS 114

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Joel Embiid scored 50 points, making all four 3-point attempts and scoring 18 in a potential series-shifting third quarter to lead Philadelphia to a win over New York in Game 3 of their Eastern Conference first-round series.

Embiid boldly stated “we’re going to win this series” after the 76ers dropped Game 2.

With one of the finest postseason efforts of his career, Embiid became the third player to ever score 50 points against the Knicks in the postseason and kept the hope of a Philadelphia series comeback very much alive.

The Knicks lead the series 2-1. Game 4 is Sunday in Philadelphia.

Embiid was 13 of 19 from the floor overall, made 19 of 21 free throws and hit five 3-pointers.

NUGGETS 112, LAKERS 105

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Aaron Gordon had 29 points and 15 rebounds, Nikola Jokic added 24 points, 15 rebounds and nine assists, and Denver moved to the brink of the second round with a victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 3 of their first-round series..

Jamal Murray scored 22 points as the defending NBA champion Nuggets won their 11th consecutive meeting with LeBron James and the Lakers in dominating style.

Michael Porter Jr. added 20 points for Denver, which took control in the third quarter and cruised through the final minutes to its fifth straight road win over Los Angeles, starting with its sweep of last season’s Western Conference finals.

Game 4 is Saturday night in Los Angeles. No NBA team has ever rallied from an 0-3 playoff deficit.

Orlando Magic guard Cole Anthony (50) makes a shot as he gets past Cleveland Cavaliers guard Sam Merrill (5) during the second half of Game 3 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)