Davis triple double sparks Lakers to third NBA win in a row

Anthony Davis delivered his third career triple double on Monday to support big nights from LeBron James and D'Angelo Russell as the Los Angeles Lakers won 124-118 at Charlotte.

Russell scored 28 points, James added 26 and Davis dominated with 26 points, 15 rebounds and 11 assists as the Lakers finished an NBA road trip 4-2 with the other wins at Boston, New York and Golden State.

The Lakers play host to reigning NBA champion Denver on Thursday. Struggling since they won the NBA In-Season Tournament in December, the Lakers have built confidence on the road trip, coach Darvin Ham said.

They got a fight from the Hornets, who were led by 41 points from Miles Bridges and 33 by Brandon Miller. The Lakers improved to 27-25 with their third win in a row while imposing Charlotte's eighth loss in a row.

Davis matched his career high for assists and had a triple-double by the end of three quarters. Davis blocked three shots, the last on a late Bridges 3-point try to seal victory.

The Lakers, ninth in the Western Conference, have turned to Japan's Rui Hachimura with forward Jarred Vanderbilt out up to four weeks with a right foot sprain.

In New York, Stephen Curry scored 29 points and Jonathan Kuminga added 28 with 10 rebounds to lead the Golden State Warriors over host Brooklyn 109-98. The Warriors missed their first eight 3-point attempts until Curry sank one, giving him 3,600 career 3-pointers. The Warriors finished with 72 points inside.

Kawhi Leonard scored 36 points and James Harden added 30 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds to power the Los Angeles Clippers to a 149-144 triumph in Atlanta. Paul George added 18 points for the Clippers, who improved to 34-15, a half-game off the Western Conference lead. Trae Young had 25 points and 12 assists to spark the Hawks in defeat.

Cleveland's Donovan Mitchell scored 29 points and Max Strus added 22 to spark the Cavaliers over visiting Sacramento 136-111. The Cavs won their sixth consecutive contest and jumped to second in the Eastern Conference at 32-16, five games back of NBA overall leader Boston. Domantas Sabonis had a triple double for Sacramento with 12 points, 19 rebounds and 15 assists.

Kyrie Irving scored 23 points and passed off eight assists while Josh Green added 20 points and Luka Doncic had 19 to lead the Dallas Mavericks in a 118-102 victory at Philadelphia. The 76ers, led by 19 points from Kelly Oubre Jr., were without reigning NBA Most Valuable Player Joel Embiid, who is preparing for left knee surgery.

Brandon Ingram scored 41 points on 16-of-21 shooting -- 8-of-11 from 3-point range -- to lead the New Orleans Pelicans over visiting Toronto 138-100.

© Agence France-Presse