Tyrese Maxey scored 43 points as the Philadelphia 76ers, who are shorthanded, defeated the visiting Los Angeles Lakers 118-104 on Tuesday thanks to a strong second quarter. This victory extended the team’s winning streak to three games.
After star center Anthony Davis suffered an abdominal strain in the first quarter, LeBron James finished with 31 points, 8 rebounds, and 9 assists for the Lakers.
Without Joel Embiid, who hasn’t played since January 4 due to knee injury management, and Paul George, who was sidelined due to a finger injury, the 76ers prevailed thanks to 20 points, eight rebounds, and five assists from Kelly Oubre Jr.
In the second quarter, Philadelphia scored 48 points to take a 73-57 lead into halftime without Davis to support the Lakers’ defense.
Hawks 96, Rockets 100
With 25 points from Jalen Green, the Houston Rockets defeated the host Atlanta Hawks to extend their winning streak to four games.
Jae’Sean Tate had a season-high 16 points for the Rockets off the bench, while Alperen Sengun finished with 18 points and 10 rebounds.
The Hawks, who came back late before losing for the sixth consecutive game, had 21 points and nine assists from Trae Young and 16 points from De’Andre Hunter. With five minutes remaining and down 16 points, Atlanta had a chance to take the lead in the closing seconds but Hunter missed a wide-open 3-pointer.
The Jazz 103, Warriors 114
Dennis Schroder, who replaced Stephen Curry and scored 23 points in his most productive game with his new team, helped the Golden State Warriors defeat the Utah Jazz in San Francisco.
The Warriors led by as much as 15 points and were still ahead 97-86 early in the fourth quarter before a Utah comeback, with Curry resting on the back end of a back-to-back and Draymond Green and Jonathan Kuminga sidelined by injuries.
After the Jazz’s 125-110 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks at home on Monday, Collin Sexton scored a game-high 30 points.
Bucks 112, Trail Blazers 125
With a strong victory over the visiting Milwaukee Bucks, the Portland Trail Blazers spoiled Damian Lillard’s second consecutive season return to town. Deni Avdija finished with a season-high 30 points and nine rebounds.
The Trail Blazers triumphed for the fifth time in the last six games, led by Anfernee Simons with 25 points and seven assists and Deandre Ayton with 21 points and 14 rebounds.
Milwaukee fell for just the third time in the last 12 games, led by Giannis Antetokounmpo, who finished with 39 points, 12 rebounds, and five assists. After getting a standing ovation before the game, Lillard, who spent 11 seasons in Portland, scored 20 points on 7 of 17 shooting and added six assists.
