LeBron James became only the third player in NBA history to score 20 points in 1,000 career games as Los Angeles Lakers beat Miami Heat 95-80 for their seventh consecutive victory
Miami trimmed the Los Angeles Lakers’ lead to six points with nearly nine minutes left in the fourth quarter, and Staples Center buckled in for a big finish between two NBA division leaders.
Instead, the Heat missed their next 13 shots and scored only six more points all night.
The Lakers have two of the world’s best offensive players in their lineup, but they’re leading the overall NBA standings because of what they’re doing on the other end.
‘One thing about it – if your offense is behind your defense, you’re a really, really good team,’ LeBron James said. ‘And I’m OK with that right now.’
Anthony Davis had 26 points and nine rebounds, and James scored 12 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter of the Lakers’ seventh consecutive victory, 95-80 over the Heat on Friday night.
James hit a pair of clutch 3-pointers in the waning minutes to seal another impressive win for the Lakers, who haven’t lost since their season opener against the Clippers.
As James savours his record, Only Karl Malone (1,134) and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (1,122) have done it more often. James has played 1,206 games in his 17-year career. Kobe Bryant only did it 941 times.