LeBron takes on Thompson (©Getty Images)
LeBron takes on Thompson (©Getty Images)

The King is still holding to his crown

Reading Time: 2min | Sun. 07.05.23. | 11:50

Lakers rout Warriors, Heat rip Knicks to grab NBA series leads

Anthony Davis and LeBron James powered the Los Angeles Lakers in a rout of defending champion Golden State on Saturday while Jimmy Butler returned from an ankle injury to spark Miami's romp over New York in the NBA playoffs.

Davis scored 25 points and grabbed 13 rebounds while LeBron James added 21 points to lead the host Lakers over the Warriors 127-97. Davis made 7-of-10 shots from the floor, 11-of-12 from the free throw line, and had four blocks, three assists and three steals while overwhelming with defensive plays. James, who went the first 13 minutes without shooting, added eight assists and eight rebounds while D'Angelo Russell posted 21 points, all in the first half.

The Lakers grabbed a 2-1 lead over the defending champion Warriors in their best-of-seven Western Conference semifinal series with game four on Monday in Los Angeles. An 18-4 run to end the first quarter gave the Warriors a 30-23 lead, with James not taking a shot in the first period of a playoff game for the first time in his career.

After falling behind 40-29, the Lakers answered with a 30-8 run in the final 7:22 of the second quarter for a 59-48 halftime lead. The Lakers, who stretched the lead as large as 20 points in the third quarter, entered the fourth ahead 86-68 and cruised from there. Stephen Curry led the Warriors with 23 points while Andrew Wiggins added 16 and Klay Thompson had 15.

In the Eastern Conference, Butler scored 28 points to lead the Heat over the Knicks 105-86, giving Miami a 2-1 series lead with game four Monday on their home court. Butler missed Miami's loss Tuesday after suffering an injury in the series opener, but returned to help the Heat lead from start to finish. Max Strus added 19 points for Miami while Bam Adebayo added 17 points and 12 rebounds and Kyle Lowry had 14 points.

NBA

Playoffs

Sunday

22.30: (2.30) Philadelphia (12.5) Boston (1.75)

Monday

03.00: (1.75) Phoenix (12.5) Denver (2.30)

Tuesday

02.30: (1.60) Miami (13.0) New York (2.60)

05.00: (1.65) La Lakers (13.0) Golden State (2.50)

***odds are subject to change



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