LeBron James totaled 27 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists as the Los Angeles Lakers pulled away in the fourth quarter for a 128-113 victory over the struggling Brooklyn Nets Thursday night in New York.
James posted his 91st career triple-double and 10th this season as the Lakers and won for the 12th time in 14 games in front of a crowd that featured former President Bill Clinton and many Los Angeles fans. James exited to a standing ovation from many fans after checking out for good with 4:42 remaining and the Lakers up 23.
James shot 11 of 19 from the floor as the Lakers shot 50 percent overall and hit a season-high 19 3-pointers.
James ended the game at 33,626 points, 17 behind Kobe Bryant for third on the all-time scoring list. His first chance at passing Bryant will be Saturday in Philadelphia.
Anthony Davis added 16 points and 11 rebounds to help the Lakers to a 52-41 rebounding margin. Kyle Kuzma also added 16 as the Lakers got 55 points from their bench.
Dwight Howard also posted a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds while Danny Green hit four 3-pointers and contributed 14 points.
Kyrie Irving scored 20 points but it was not enough as the Nets dropped their fifth straight game and fell to 2-12 in their last 14 games. Taurean Prince added 18 while Caris LeVert contributed 16 as the Nets shot 44 percent and lost despite hitting 21 3-pointers.
The Lakers settled for a 38-35 lead after shooting 58.3 percent in the first quarter and allowing the Nets to end the period on a 13-6 run over the final 2:33. The Lakers took the lead for good shortly after James returned in the second quarter, held a 75-70 lead by halftime and took an 88-75 lead after Green sank three 3-pointers in the first 3:58 of the third.
