NBA roundup: Clippers still dominating Lakers despite LeBron's efforts, Celtics lose to Heat

Los Angeles, California - LeBron James scored 46 points but the Los Angeles Clippers continued their recent dominance over the Los Angeles Lakers with a 133-115 victory in the NBA on Tuesday.

LeBron James (l.) scored 46 points, but the Los Angeles Lakers still lost to the Los Angeles Clippers for the 10th game in a row.
LeBron James (l.) scored 46 points, but the Los Angeles Lakers still lost to the Los Angeles Clippers for the 10th game in a row.  © USA TODAY Sports

The Clippers have now won 10 straight against the Lakers and are 36-9 in recent seasons. The win moves the Clippers up to fifth spot in the west with a 26-24 record, while the Lakers are 22-26 and 13th in the west.

Paul George top-scored for the Clippers, who made 19 three-pointers at 50% as a team, leading the way with 27 points on 11-of-20 shooting while adding nine rebounds and four assists.

Kawhi Leonard chipped in 25 points with nine rebounds, three assists, two steals, and two blocks as the Clippers found form with a third straight win, and they could receive further reinforcements soon as Luke Kennard (calf) and John Wall (abdominal strain) close in on returns.

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James was exceptional for the Lakers, shooting 16-of-29 from the field with nine-of-14 triples, along with eight rebounds, seven assists, two steals, and one block.

The four-time NBA MVP's 46-point haul moves him to within 177 of tying Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's all-time scoring record at 38,387.

James appeared set for a 50-point game, scoring 15 points in the fourth quarter, before the Clippers put the game to bed on an 8-0 run and sent him to the bench for good with five minutes remaining.

Around the league: Jokić bolsters MVP credentials, Heat sneak win over Celtics

Bam Adebayo (l.) top-scored for the Miami Heat in their win over the Boston Celtics.
Bam Adebayo (l.) top-scored for the Miami Heat in their win over the Boston Celtics.  © USA TODAY Sports

Nikola Jokić scored the game-winner with 16.2 seconds left as he recorded his 15th triple-double of the season in the Denver Nuggets' 99-98 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans.

Jokić and Jamal Murray were disconnected down the stretch before linking up for the crucial two-pointer, capping the Serbian's game with 25 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists, adding further weight to his claims for a third straight MVP, which would be the first occurrence since Larry Bird from 1984-86.

Murray added 25 points on 11-of-21 shooting with seven assists for Denver, while C.J. McCollum top scored for the Pels with 20 points, but he went zero-of-eight from three-point range.

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Earlier, the short-handed Miami Heat fought back from 14 points down to inflict back-to-back defeats on the Boston Celtics with a 98-95 victory.

Bam Adebayo top-scored with 30 points and 15 rebounds for Miami, who were without Jimmy Butler due to a back injury. The Heat squared the game up at 87-87 in the fourth quarter on a 10-0 run, before going on to win their sixth straight game at home.

Jayson Tatum, who scored 31 points with 14 rebounds, threw a pass that was intercepted by Tyler Herro in the final minute, before Payton Pritchard missed a desperation three-point attempt at the buzzer.

Cover photo: Collage: USA TODAY Sports

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