Game ID: 22300701
Los Angeles Lakers @ New York Knicks
Saturday, February 3, 2024 at 8:30 PM ET
Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
NYK 25 34 27 19 105LAL 27 32 21 33 113
LAL @ NYK ScoutingLAL @ NYK Scouting
Welcome to the scouting desk. The coffee is cold, the film is play-by-play, and somebody has to explain what happened.
Every game has a hinge — a stretch where it was decided, usually while everyone was watching something else. Start where the evidence lives: the Lineups' face-offs say which five actually won their minutes; the Possessions ledger says who ran ahead of the night's own pace; the Shot Chart says where the points really came from, which is rarely where the highlights were. When all three agree, that is the story. When they don't — that is why this desk has a chair.
NYK availability going into 1/27 · 1 day's restOUT Hartenstein missed 2 since 1/23, returns tonight: 16 min (60% of 26)
OUT Robinson missed 24 since 12/11, out tonight
OUT Fournier missed 3 since 1/20, out tonight
OUT Gibson missed 12 since 1/03, out tonight
BACK Brunson back 1/17 after 2, 35 min since (97% of 36)
BACK Sims back 1/20 after 5, 18 min since (150% of 12)
NYK availability going into 1/29 · 1 day's restOUT Robinson missed 25 since 12/11, out tonight
OUT Fournier missed 4 since 1/20, out tonight
OUT Gibson missed 13 since 1/03, out tonight
BACK Hartenstein back 1/27 after 2, 16 min since (60% of 26)
BACK Sims back 1/20 after 5, 14 min since (115% of 12)
NYK availability going into 1/30 · back-to-backOUT Robinson missed 26 since 12/11, out tonight
OUT Fournier missed 5 since 1/20, out tonight
OUT Gibson missed 14 since 1/03, returns tonight: 0 min (5% of 10)
BACK Hartenstein back 1/27 after 2, 16 min since (62% of 26)
BACK Sims back 1/20 after 5, 16 min since (130% of 12)
NYK availability going into 2/01 · 1 day's restOUT Randle missed 2 since 1/29, out tonight
OUT Anunoby missed 2 since 1/29, out tonight
OUT Robinson missed 27 since 12/11, out tonight
OUT Fournier missed 6 since 1/20, out tonight
BACK Hartenstein back 1/27 after 2, 20 min since (79% of 26)
BACK Gibson back 1/30 after 14, 0 min since (5% of 10)
NEW Achiuwa 24 to 30 min over the last 5
NEW Sims 12 to 19 min over the last 5
NYK availability going into 2/03 · 1 day's restOUT Randle missed 3 since 1/29, out tonight
OUT Anunoby missed 3 since 1/29, out tonight
OUT Robinson missed 28 since 12/11, out tonight
OUT Fournier missed 7 since 1/20, out tonight
BACK Hartenstein back 1/27 after 2, 24 min since (93% of 26)
BACK Gibson back 1/30 after 14, 0 min since (5% of 10)
NEW Achiuwa 24 to 34 min over the last 5
NYK availability going into 2/06 · 2 days' restOUT Randle missed 4 since 1/29, out tonight
OUT Anunoby missed 4 since 1/29, out tonight
OUT Robinson missed 29 since 12/11, out tonight
OUT Fournier missed 8 since 1/20, out tonight
OUT Gibson missed 2 since 2/01, returns tonight: 13 min (126% of 10)
BACK Hartenstein back 1/27 after 2, 26 min since (100% of 26)
NEW DiVincenzo 30 to 36 min over the last 5
NEW Achiuwa 24 to 38 min over the last 5
NEW Grimes 20 to 26 min over the last 3
NYK availability going into 2/08 · 1 day's restOUT Randle missed 5 since 1/29, out tonight
OUT Anunoby missed 5 since 1/29, out tonight
OUT Robinson missed 30 since 12/11, out tonight
OUT Fournier missed 9 since 1/20, not on tonight's roster
BACK Gibson back 1/30 after 14, 7 min since (66% of 10)
NEW Hart 35 to 40 min over the last 5
NEW DiVincenzo 30 to 40 min over the last 5
NEW Achiuwa 24 to 40 min over the last 5
NEW Sims 12 to 17 min over the last 4
NYK availability going into 2/10 · 1 day's restOUT Randle missed 6 since 1/29, out tonight
OUT Anunoby missed 6 since 1/29, out tonight
OUT Robinson missed 31 since 12/11, out tonight
OUT Sims missed 2 since 2/06, out tonight
BACK Gibson back 1/30 after 14, 12 min since (116% of 10)
NEW Hart 35 to 40 min over the last 5
NEW DiVincenzo 30 to 40 min over the last 5
NEW Achiuwa 24 to 42 min over the last 5
NEW McBride 21 to 27 min over the last 5
NYK availability going into 2/12 · 1 day's restOUT Randle missed 7 since 1/29, out tonight
OUT Anunoby missed 7 since 1/29, out tonight
OUT Robinson missed 32 since 12/11, out tonight
OUT Sims missed 3 since 2/06, returns tonight: 29 min (235% of 12)
BACK Gibson back 2/06 after 2, 18 min since (174% of 10)
NEW DiVincenzo 30 to 40 min over the last 5
NEW Achiuwa 24 to 42 min over the last 5
NEW McBride 21 to 27 min over the last 5
LAL availability going into 1/27 · 1 day's restOUT Vincent missed 18 since 12/21, out tonight
BACK Reddish back 1/21 after 3, 19 min since (91% of 20)
BACK Hayes back 1/17 after 2, 3 min since (26% of 12)
LAL availability going into 1/29 · 1 day's restOUT Reddish missed 2 since 1/25, out tonight
OUT Vincent missed 19 since 12/21, out tonight
OUT Hayes missed 2 since 1/25, returns tonight: 14 min (112% of 12)
NEW Russell 33 to 39 min over the last 5
NEW Vanderbilt 20 to 27 min over the last 5
LAL availability going into 1/30 · back-to-backOUT Reddish missed 3 since 1/25, out tonight
OUT Vincent missed 20 since 12/21, out tonight
BACK Hayes back 1/29 after 2, 14 min since (112% of 12)
NEW Russell 33 to 40 min over the last 5
LAL availability going into 2/01 · 1 day's restOUT Reddish missed 4 since 1/25, out tonight
OUT Vincent missed 21 since 12/21, out tonight
BACK Hayes back 1/29 after 2, 19 min since (157% of 12)
NEW Russell 33 to 39 min over the last 5
NEW Vanderbilt 20 to 25 min over the last 5
LAL availability going into 2/03 · 1 day's restOUT Davis missed 2 since 1/30, returns tonight: 36 min (101% of 36)
OUT Reddish missed 5 since 1/25, out tonight
OUT Vincent missed 22 since 12/21, out tonight
BACK Hayes back 1/29 after 2, 24 min since (197% of 12)
NEW Russell 33 to 39 min over the last 5
LAL availability going into 2/05 · 1 day's restOUT Reddish missed 6 since 1/25, out tonight
OUT Vincent missed 23 since 12/21, out tonight
BACK Davis back 2/03 after 2, 36 min since (101% of 36)
BACK Hayes back 1/29 after 2, 21 min since (173% of 12)
LAL availability going into 2/08 · 2 days' restOUT Reddish missed 7 since 1/25, out tonight
OUT Vanderbilt missed 2 since 2/03, out tonight
OUT Vincent missed 24 since 12/21, out tonight
BACK Davis back 2/03 after 2, 37 min since (102% of 36)
BACK Hayes back 1/29 after 2, 19 min since (157% of 12)
NEW Christie 14 to 20 min over the last 5
LAL availability going into 2/09 · back-to-backOUT Reddish missed 8 since 1/25, out tonight
OUT Vanderbilt missed 3 since 2/03, out tonight
OUT Vincent missed 25 since 12/21, out tonight
BACK Davis back 2/03 after 2, 37 min since (104% of 36)
NEW Hayes 12 to 20 min over the last 5
LAL availability going into 2/13 · 3 days' restOUT Reddish missed 9 since 1/25, out tonight
OUT Vanderbilt missed 4 since 2/03, out tonight
OUT Vincent missed 26 since 12/21, out tonight
BACK Davis back 2/03 after 2, 35 min since (98% of 36)
NEW Christie 14 to 21 min over the last 4
NEW Hayes 12 to 18 min over the last 5
I Know — the desk, before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
New York comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 99, shooting 48 percent and 36 from three, 21 free throws a game; Brunson at 31 and DiVincenzo at 22 a game. That is 5 straight wins. It has won the glass by 6 a night. Without Randle (3 straight), Anunoby (3 straight), Robinson (28 straight). One day's rest. The Lakers come in 3-2 over their last five, scoring 128 a night and allowing 131, shooting 50 percent and 45 from three, 28 free throws a game; James at 26 and Davis at 25 a game. They have lost the glass by 7 a night. Without Davis (2 straight), Reddish (5 straight), Vincent (22 straight). One day's rest.
So: New York wins, and the game turns on the defense, New York allowing 99 a night to the Lakers' 131 and the glass, where New York has been plus-6 a night and the Lakers minus-7. Call it New York 121, the Lakers 112.
1/27 vs MIA 125-109 — NYK notes
NYK won 125-109. NYK shot 52% (45 of 87) to MIA's 47%, 17 of 33 from three, and went to the line 26 times to MIA's 16 — 18 points from the stripe to their 13. Brunson led with 32 (12 of 22, 4 of 8 from three); Anunoby added 19, Randle 19. The hinge was Q2, 34-21: NYK came in trailing by 3 and left it ahead by 10, and the lead reached 22. Hart was the night's best plus/minus at +30.
1/29 @ CHA 113-92 — NYK notes
NYK won 113-92. NYK shot 52% (44 of 84) to CHA's 46%, 12 of 37 from three. Brunson led with 32 (13 of 24, 2 of 6 from three); DiVincenzo added 28, McBride 11. The hinge was Q3, 44-24: a lead of 3 became 23, and the lead reached 29. DiVincenzo was the night's best plus/minus at +24.
1/30 vs UTA 118-103 — NYK notes
NYK won 118-103. NYK shot 47% (44 of 94) to UTA's 45%, 13 of 34 from three. NYK turned it over 5 times to UTA's 14. DiVincenzo led with 33 (11 of 22, 9 of 15 from three); Brunson added 29, Achiuwa 18. The hinge was Q3, 36-24: a lead of 8 became 20, and the lead reached 25. DiVincenzo was the night's best plus/minus at +23.
2/01 vs IND 109-105 — NYK notes
NYK won 109-105. NYK shot 40% (41 of 103) to IND's 45%, 8 of 38 from three, and went to the line 25 times to IND's 13 — 19 points from the stripe to their 8. The glass went 60-44 for them. Brunson led with 40 (15 of 30, 1 of 6 from three, 9 of 11 at the line); DiVincenzo added 20, McBride 16. The hinge was Q4, 30-21: NYK came in trailing by 5 and left it ahead by 4. NYK trailed 51-58 at the half and won the second half 58-47. McBride was the night's best plus/minus at +10.
2/03 vs LAL 105-113 — NYK notes
NYK lost 105-113. NYK took 20 more shots (100 to 80), fed by 18 offensive rebounds, but shot 41% to LAL's 49%, 10 of 35 from three, and got to the line 15 times to LAL's 27. The glass went 51-38 for them. Brunson led with 36 (15 of 31, 1 of 6 from three, 5 of 6 at the line); DiVincenzo added 26, Hart 12. Q3 was theirs, 27-21, but the other 3 periods went 92-78 against them. Hart's -12 in 42 minutes was the worst on the floor.
2/06 vs MEM — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
New York comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 104, shooting 46 percent and 34 from three, 20 free throws a game; Brunson at 34 and DiVincenzo at 24 a game. It has won the glass by 8 a night. Without Randle (4 straight), Anunoby (4 straight), Robinson (29 straight). 2 days' rest. Memphis comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 99 a night and allowing 116, shooting 41 percent and 32 from three, 22 free throws a game; Jackson Jr. at 25 and Williams Jr. at 17 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 8 a night. Without Bane (12 straight), LaRavia (11 straight), Williams (4 straight). One day's rest.
So: New York wins, and the game turns on the glass, where New York has been plus-8 a night and Memphis minus-8 and the turnovers, Memphis giving it away 14 times a game to New York's 8. Call it New York 116, Memphis 103, New York by 13.
2/08 vs DAL — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
New York comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 105, shooting 47 percent and 32 from three, 19 free throws a game; Brunson at 33 and DiVincenzo at 28 a game. It has won the glass by 7 a night. Without Randle (5 straight), Anunoby (5 straight), Robinson (30 straight). One day's rest. Dallas comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 118, shooting 50 percent and 39 from three, 26 free throws a game; Dončić at 35 and Hardaway Jr. at 16 a game. Without Lively II (4 straight), Exum (6 straight). One day's rest.
So: New York wins, and the game turns on the glass, where New York has been plus-7 a night and Dallas minus-3 and the defense, New York allowing 105 a night to Dallas's 118. Call it New York 117, Dallas 111.
2/10 vs IND — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
New York comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 111, shooting 45 percent and 33 from three, 18 free throws a game; Brunson at 33 and DiVincenzo at 29 a game. It has won the glass by 8 a night. Without Randle (6 straight), Anunoby (6 straight), Robinson (31 straight). One day's rest. Indiana comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 120, shooting 52 percent and 39 from three, 19 free throws a game; Siakam at 22 and Mathurin at 19 a game. It has lost the glass by 10 a night. One day's rest.
So: New York wins, and the game turns on the glass, where New York has been plus-8 a night and Indiana minus-10 and the turnovers, Indiana giving it away 14 times a game to New York's 9. Call it New York 119, Indiana 114.
2/12 @ HOU — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Houston comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 116, shooting 47 percent and 37 from three, 20 free throws a game; Ja. Green at 17 and Sengun at 16 a game. That is 4 straight losses. It has won the glass by 8 a night. Without VanVleet (3 straight). One day's rest. New York comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 116, shooting 45 percent and 31 from three, 19 free throws a game; Brunson at 36 and DiVincenzo at 26 a game. It has won the glass by 6 a night. Without Randle (7 straight), Anunoby (7 straight), Robinson (32 straight). One day's rest.
So: Houston wins, and the game turns on the turnovers, Houston giving it away 16 times a game to New York's 10 and the arc, Houston at 37 percent from three to New York's 31. Call it Houston 115, New York 112, New York keeping it close.
1/27 @ GSW 145-144 — LAL notes
LAL won 145-144 in 2 overtimes. LAL shot 49% (49 of 101) to GSW's 46%, 9 of 27 from three, and went to the line 43 times to GSW's 16 — 38 points from the stripe to their 11. James led with 36 (14 of 25, 2 of 4 from three, 6 of 6 at the line); Davis added 29, Russell 28. The hinge was Q4, 27-19: LAL came in trailing by 8 and left it level.
1/29 @ HOU 119-135 — LAL notes
LAL lost 119-135. LAL shot 49% (45 of 91) to HOU's 53%, 13 of 35 from three. The glass went 35-56 against them. Russell led with 23 (8 of 19, 3 of 12 from three); James added 23, Davis 23. Q4 was theirs, 35-27, the deficit cut from 24 to 16, but the other 3 periods went 108-84 against them. Russell's -19 in 41 minutes was the worst on the floor.
1/30 @ ATL 122-138 — LAL notes
LAL lost 122-138. LAL shot 53% (48 of 90) to ATL's 52%, 12 of 33 from three, and went to the line 25 times to ATL's 18 — 14 points from the stripe to their 16. Reaves led with 28 (10 of 19, 3 of 8 from three, 5 of 7 at the line); James added 20, Hachimura 16. Q4 was theirs, 34-35, but the other 3 periods went 103-88 against them. Prince's -18 in 25 minutes was the worst on the floor.
2/01 @ BOS 114-105 — LAL notes
LAL won 114-105. LAL shot 40% (38 of 94) to BOS's 42%, 19 of 36 from three, and went to the line 26 times to BOS's 7 — 19 points from the stripe to their 7. LAL turned it over 7 times to BOS's 15. Reaves led with 32 (10 of 18, 7 of 10 from three, 5 of 7 at the line); Russell added 16, Hayes 16. The hinge was Q2, 32-21: a lead of 3 became 14. Vanderbilt was the night's best plus/minus at +17.
2/03 @ NYK 113-105 — LAL notes
LAL won 113-105. LAL shot 49% (39 of 80) to NYK's 41%, 12 of 31 from three, and went to the line 27 times to NYK's 15 — 23 points from the stripe to their 13. The glass went 38-51 against them. James led with 24 (10 of 19, 2 of 5 from three); Reaves added 22, Prince 16. The hinge was Q4, 33-19: LAL came in trailing by 6 and left it ahead by 8. Christie was the night's best plus/minus at +12.
2/05 @ CHA — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Charlotte comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 106 a night and allowing 121, shooting 45 percent and 36 from three, 18 free throws a game; Miller at 25 and Washington at 22 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 7 a night. Second night of a back-to-back. The Lakers come in 3-2 over their last five, scoring 123 a night and allowing 125, shooting 48 percent and 40 from three, 29 free throws a game; James at 26 and Reaves at 21 a game. They have lost the glass by 8 a night. Without Reddish (6 straight), Vincent (23 straight). One day's rest.
So: The Lakers win, on the road, and the game turns on the line, where the Lakers take 29 free throws a game to Charlotte's 18. Call it the Lakers 119, Charlotte 115, Charlotte keeping it close.
2/08 vs DEN — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Lakers come in 3-2 over their last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 120, shooting 50 percent and 38 from three, 25 free throws a game; James at 23 and Davis at 20 a game. That is 3 straight wins. They have lost the glass by 6 a night. Without Reddish (7 straight), Vanderbilt (2 straight), Vincent (24 straight). 2 days' rest. Denver comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 106, shooting 47 percent and 36 from three, 23 free throws a game; Jokić at 27 and Murray at 22 a game. 3 days' rest.
So: Denver wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, Denver allowing 106 a night to the Lakers' 120 and the glass, where Denver has been plus-3 a night and the Lakers minus-6. Call it Denver 115, the Lakers 114, the Lakers keeping it close.
2/09 vs NOP — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Lakers come in 3-2 over their last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 116, shooting 49 percent and 37 from three, 24 free throws a game; James at 24 and Davis at 23 a game. They have lost the glass by 4 a night. Without Reddish (8 straight), Vanderbilt (3 straight), Vincent (25 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. New Orleans comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 107, shooting 51 percent and 34 from three, 17 free throws a game; Ingram at 25 and Williamson at 24 a game. That is 4 straight wins. It has won the glass by 5 a night. One day's rest.
So: New Orleans wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where New Orleans has been plus-5 a night and the Lakers minus-4 and the defense, New Orleans allowing 107 a night to the Lakers' 116. Call it New Orleans 117, the Lakers 113, the Lakers keeping it close.
2/13 vs DET — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Lakers come in 4-1 over their last five, scoring 119 a night and allowing 113, shooting 49 percent and 39 from three, 25 free throws a game; James at 24 and Davis at 22 a game. They have lost the glass by 4 a night. Without Reddish (9 straight), Vanderbilt (4 straight), Vincent (26 straight). 3 days' rest. Detroit comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 120, shooting 49 percent and 42 from three, 21 free throws a game; Ivey at 26 and Cunningham at 20 a game. It has won the glass by 9 a night. Without Stewart (6 straight). 2 days' rest.
So: The Lakers win, and the game turns on the glass, where Detroit has been plus-9 a night and the Lakers minus-4 and the turnovers, Detroit giving it away 14 times a game to the Lakers' 8. Call it the Lakers 121, Detroit 114.
Who is who
the initials in the Players column
LALAD A. Davis
AR A. Reaves
CW C. Wood
DR D. Russell
JH J. Hayes
LJ L. James
MC M. Christie
RH R. Hachimura
TP T. Prince
NYKDD D. DiVincenzo
IH I. Hartenstein
JB J. Brunson
JH J. Hart
JS J. Sims
MF M. Flynn
MM M. McBride
PA P. Achiuwa
LAL/NYK the team itself, not a player
-- the feed named nobody
What
What happened
the codes in the Events column
M2 / M3 made 2 / made 3
X2 / X3 missed 2 / missed 3
FT / X1 free throw made / missed
AST assist
OR / DR offensive / defensive rebound
STL steal
BLK block
TO turnover
FL foul
OF offensive foul — ends the possession
VIOL violation
JUMP jump ball
TM timeout
IR instant replay
HE heave at the buzzer, filed to the team
END the clock ran out, ball in hand
Where
Where a shot came from
the middle field of M3.LW.25
RM at the rim inside 4 ft
RC right corner
RW right wing
SO straight on
LW left wing
LC left corner
M3.LW.25 made 3, left wing, 25 ft
X2.RM.01 missed 2, at the rim, 1 ft
When
When it happened
the Offset column
one number per event, in the Events order:
whole seconds from the start of the
possession to that event
Events FL X3.RC.23 OR M2.RM.01
Offset 0 18 22 24
the foul opens the possession at 0s;
the putback ends it at 24s, which is
the possession's own Dur
James, Lakers pull away for 113-105 win to end Knicks' nine-game winning streak
NEW YORK -- — LeBron James scored 24 points and the Los Angeles Lakers pulled away down the stretch to beat New York 113-105 Saturday night, snapping the Knicks' nine-game winning streak.
Austin Reaves had 22 points, D'Angelo Russell and Taurean Prince each scored 16, and Anthony Davis finished with 12 points and 18 rebounds as the Lakers won their second straight to move above .500 (26-25).
“We ’re just trying to get to a place where we’re trying to get to a place where we’re playing the type of basketball we envisioned,” Lakers coach Darvin Ham said. “The type of basketball we know we’re capable of and defend at a high, high level. That’s (going to) give you a chance every night. And we’ve got enough firepower in terms of people in the starting lineup, people coming off the bench to where we’re (going to) be able to put points on the board.”
Jalen Brunson scored 36 points to lead New York (32-18), and Donte DiVincenzo had 26 before fouling out. Josh Hart had 12 points and 11 rebounds, and Precious Achiuwa added 10 points.
“We didn't make enough plays on both sides of the ball,” Brunson said. “Give them credit.”
The game was tight throughout and the Knicks led 86-80 after three quarters, but the Lakers scored the first seven points of the fourth to go ahead. It went back-and-forth with New York taking its last lead at 96-94 on DiVencenzo's 3-pointer with 7:25 remaining.
“The start of the fourth, we’re up six,” Thibodeau said. “There was a big turnover, we gave up a 3 in transition. They got momentum, and it turned the game right there.”
Prince's three-point play 19 seconds later started Los Angeles' game-clinching 11-0 run, capped by James' fadeaway jumper for a 105-96 lead with with 1:54 left.
Prince and Reaves combined to score 16 of Los Angeles' first 20 points of the fourth quarter.
“That's what we need,” Ham said of Prince and Reaves' fourth quarter outburst. “We have a team full of talented offensive players. The more they assert themselves and stay aggressive, and...deliver; take advantage of the opportunities that they have, the better it will be (and) the more endurance we'll have for LeBron and A.D.”
DiVincenzo’s pull-up jumper with 39.1 seconds left cut the deficit to 105-98. It also ended New York’s nearly seven-minute scoreless streak.
Reaves sandwiched four free throws around a layup by Brunson to push the Lakers’ lead to 109-100. After Brunson converted a three-point play with 11.2 seconds remaining to slice the lead to six, Davis knocked down four free throws around a layup by Brunson in the final seconds to close it out.
James, playing his 32nd career game at Madison Square Garden, was cheered when he came out for pregame warmups, and his two-handed dunk off of a Russell feed 3:12 into the game drew oohs and aahs.
“It’s the Mecca of basketball,” James said. “There’s been so many great players, great teams, great things that come through this building. So (I’m) just happy to be part of it.”