LeBron James won the NBA superstar duel with Stephen Curry. James led the Los Angeles Lakers to a 145-144 (68-63, 118-118, 130-130) road win over the Golden State Warriors after double overtime. With 1.2 seconds left, James hit both of his free throw attempts to seal the win.
James totaled 36 points, 20 rebounds and twelve assists, marking his third triple-double this season and double-digit scores in three statistical categories. The Lakers star scored twelve points in the two overtime periods alone. On the other side, Curry shone with 46 points, hitting nine three-pointers. With a basket five seconds before the end of the fourth quarter, Curry saved the Warriors into overtime.
“Steph came to me after the game and said: How can this get any better?” said James about the duel between two superstars. “When I finish my career, I will be able to tell my grandchildren that I played against one of the best ever.”
Both top teams have not yet been able to convince this season: The Lakers are in ninth place in the Western Conference, the Warriors are three places behind and therefore outside the playoff places.
Theis wins with the Clippers against the Celtics
Basketball world champion Daniel Theis returned to his old place of work and won a 115:96 (55:39) win over the Boston Celtics with the Los Angeles Clippers. With 18 points, the center missed his personal season record by one point, and Theis also collected seven rebounds. With their fifth win in a row, the Clippers consolidated third place in the Western Conference.
Isaiah Hartenstein was also successful with the New York Knicks. After the center missed two games due to Achilles tendon problems, he returned to the floor in the home game against the Miami Heat. Hartenstein scored four points and six rebounds in the 125:109 (61:51) home win. The Knicks are undefeated in six games.
One day after his record performance of 73 points, Luka Doncic also played well in the home game against the Sacramento Kings. Despite a triple-double of 28 points, 17 assists and ten rebounds, the superstar could not prevent the score being 115:120 (49:63). The Texans suffered their third home defeat in a row.