KYLE KUZMA

LeBron James passed Karl Malone for second place on the NBA’s career scoring list, but it was part of another loss for his Los Angeles Lakers when the Washington Wizards rallied from a 16-point deficit to win 127-119.

LeBron James scored 50 points for the 15th time in his career and helped rally the Los Angeles Lakers in the second half to a 122-109 victory over the Washington Wizards.

Kristaps Porzingis scored 25 points in his first game for Washington, and the Wizards beat the Indiana Pacers 133-123.

Kyle Kuzma scored 21 points and Thomas Bryant added 16, and the Washington Wizards won their 14th straight home meeting with Detroit, holding off the Pistons 116-113.

Kyle Kuzma scored 21 points and Thomas Bryant added 16, and the Washington Wizards won their 14th straight home meeting with Detroit, holding off the Pistons 116-113 on Tuesday night.

The last time the Detroit Pistons and the Washington Wizards faced off, Flint’s Kyle Kuzma delivered the dagger that sealed his team’s win overtime. The Wizard’s 26-year-old scored 17 of his 23 points in the third quarter to give the Wizards a comfortable lead heading into the final quarter. He made all but one of his eight shot attempts from the floor as he helped the Wizards down the Pistons 103-94. Detroit fell behind by 12 in the second quarter as its second unit worked to build chemistry. Detroit ended the second quarter on a 20-8 run, the last time it threatened Washington with a significant run.

Ja Morant scored 34 points, his sixth straight game of at least 30 points, and the Memphis Grizzlies built an early lead in a 115-95 victory over the Washington Wizards on Saturday night.

Luke Kennard scored seven points inside the final 9 seconds, including a go-ahead four-point play with 1.9 seconds remaining, and the Los Angeles Clippers overcame a 35-point first-half deficit to stun the Washington Wizards 116-115.

With minutes left to play against the Washington Wizards, Brooklyn Nets assistant coach David Vanterpool reached into the game to deflect the ball. Both he and the Nets team were fined.

Zach LaVine scored 27 points, Coby White added 21 and the Chicago Bulls won their ninth straight game, beating the Washington Wizards 130-122.

Kyle Kuzma hit a 3 with 0.6 seconds left in overtime and the Washington Wizards handed the Detroit Pistons their 10th straight loss, 119-116.

Russell Westbrook is realizing a childhood dream by coming home to play for the Los Angeles Lakers.

Carmelo Anthony realized the time was finally right to join forces with his friend LeBron James.

Carmelo Anthony and LeBron James have long wanted to be on the same team.

FLINT – Flint native Kyle Kuzma is on his way across the country from the West Coast to the East Coast. Kuzma was traded from the Los Angeles Lakers to the Washington Wizards in a draft-day deal that included three other players and three draft picks. The Lakers sent Kuzma, former Detroit Piston Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Montrezl Harrell and the 22nd pick in the this year’s draft to Washington for Russell Westbrook, a 2024 second-round pick and a 2028 second-round pick. Kuzma, 26, spent the first four seasons of his NBA career with the Lakers after being traded to Los Angeles by the Brooklyn Nets, who selected him in the first round (27th overall) of the 2017 NBA draft. Kuzma attended Bentley High School before transferring to a prep school and then playing in college at Utah.

The Washington Wizards have agreed to send superstar Russell Westbrook to the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Los Angeles Lakers are acquiring All-Star point guard Russell Westbrook from the Washington Wizards for three players and this year’s first-round draft pick.

The Los Angeles Lakers simply need a rest after two NBA seasons that felt like one relentless grind only interrupted by a ring ceremony.

Devin Booker scored 30 points after two quiet games and the Phoenix Suns sent LeBron James to the locker room early, dismantling the Los Angeles Lakers 115-85 to take a 3-2 first-round series lead.

LeBron James made a long, go-ahead 3-pointer with 58.2 seconds remaining, rallying the Los Angeles Lakers to a 103-100 victory over the Golden State Warriors in a Western Conference play-in tournament game.

LeBron James scored 25 points before he appeared to mildly aggravate a right ankle injury,and the Los Angeles Lakers closed out the regular season with a 110-98 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans.

Kyle Kuzma’s driving layup with 6.9 seconds remaining gave the short-handed Los Angeles Lakers a 124-122 victory over the Houston Rockets and kept the defending NBA champions' slim hopes of avoiding the play-in tournament alive.

Talen Horton-Tucker made the go-ahead 3-pointer with 21.1 seconds remaining, and the Los Angeles Lakers improved their hopes of avoiding the play-in tournament and prevented the New York Knicks from clinching a postseason berth with a 101-99 victory.

Anthony Davis had 42 points and 12 rebounds and the Los Angeles Lakers never trailed in a 123-110 win over the Phoenix Suns.

Paul George led seven players in double figures with 24 points and the Los Angeles Clippers routed a Lakers team minus LeBron James 118-94 to move into the No. 3 spot in the Western Conference playoff race.

Kyle Lowry had 37 points and 11 assists, Pascal Siakam had 39 points and 13 rebounds and the short-handed Toronto Raptors defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 121-114.

Luka Doncic had 18 points and 13 assists and the Dallas Mavericks overcame a 17-point deficit for a 108-93 win over Los Angeles in Lakers star Anthony Davis’ second game back from a long injury absence.

Lakers big man Anthony Davis intends to play Thursday night when Los Angeles opens a four-game road trip at Dallas.

Dennis Schröder hit the tying basket to force overtime and finished with 25 points and the Los Angeles Lakers held off the Utah Jazz 127-115 in a game between short-handed teams.

Julius Randle had 34 points and 10 rebounds against his former team and the New York Knicks beat the Los Angeles Lakers 111-96 for their third straight victory.

Andre Drummond had 20 points and 11 rebounds, Dennis Schroder scored 19 points before he and Kyrie Irving were ejected in the third quarter and the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Brooklyn Nets 126-101.

Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) dunks against Los Angeles Lakers center Andre Drummond (2) during the second quarter of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 31, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)LOS ANGELES – Andre Drummond left his Lakers debut with a bruised right toe, and Jrue Holiday scored 28 points in the Milwaukee Bucks' 112-97 victory over Los Angeles on Wednesday night. ANTETOKOUNMPO BROTHERSGiannis Antetokounmpo and his two brothers shared the court for 52 seconds late in the fourth quarter. Thanasis Antetokounmpo is Giannis' teammate with the Bucks, while Kostas Antetokounmpo is a Lakers reserve. How can you do that to your little brother?”The Antetokounmpos became the second trio of brothers to play at the same time in an NBA game.

New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) goes to the basket against Los Angeles Lakers forward Kyle Kuzma (0) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Tuesday, March 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)NEW ORLEANS – Brandon Ingram scored a season-high 36 points, Zion Williamson had 27 points and nine rebounds, and the New Orleans Pelicans defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 128-111 on Tuesday night. Ingram helped keep the Pelicans comfortably in front with 17 points in the third quarter, showcasing his mid-range repertoire of pull-ups, fades and turnaround jumpers. Pelicans guard Josh Hart — like Ingram an ex-Laker who was part of the trade that sent Anthony Davis to Los Angeles — grabbed 15 rebounds to go with five steals. ... Steven Adams had 12 points and seven rebounds.

Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul gets fouled by Los Angeles Lakers guard Dennis Schroder (17) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, March 21, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)PHOENIX – Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton both had 26 points, Chris Paul had a triple-double with 11 points, 13 assists and 10 rebounds and the Phoenix Suns beat the LeBron-less Los Angeles Lakers 111-94 on Sunday night. The Lakers were playing without 17-time All-Star LeBron James for just the second time this season and the team fell to 0-2 in his absence. Montrezl Harrell led the Lakers with 23 points off the bench on 10-of-13 shooting. The Lakers won the NBA championship last season in a COVID-19 delayed season that ended on Oct. 11.

Phoenix Suns forward Dario Saric, right, shoots as Los Angeles Lakers forward Jared Dudley defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, March 2, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)LOS ANGELES – Dario Šarić scored 10 of his 21 points in the fourth quarter, Mikal Bridges added 19 and the Phoenix Suns overcame Devin Booker's ejection for a 114-104 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night. I feel it was a great road trip.”LeBron James scored 38 points for Los Angeles, which has lost five of seven with mounting injury problems. Dennis Schröder added 17 points, but the Lakers couldn't keep up without regulars Anthony Davis, Kyle Kuzma and Marc Gasol. “Our guys are giving great effort and great hustle and great fight.

(AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Lakers blew a 14-point, fourth-quarter lead in their first meeting against the Golden State Warriors. LeBron James scored 19 points in his 1,300th regular-season appearance as the Lakers routed the Warriors 117-91. He was one of six Los Angeles players to score in double figures in a game that was never in doubt. The Lakers were up 20 at the end of the first quarter and had a 73-44 lead at halftime. This is the first matchup between the teams this year after Los Angeles won all three games last season.

Los Angeles Lakers center Montrezl Harrell, left, grabs a loose ball away from Washington Wizards guard Russell Westbrook during the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Feb. 22, 2021, in Los Angeles. Russell Westbrook scored six of his 32 points in overtime for the Wizards, who rallied from a 17-point deficit in the second half. “It feels different, in a great way,” Beal said of the Wizards' impressive five-game run against Boston, Houston, Denver, Portland and the Lakers. ... Former Lakers C Moe Wagner had six points, and former Lakers swingman Isaac Bonga didn't play. James is third in the NBA in total minutes, with over 200 more than anyone else on the Lakers' roster.

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, right, tries to pass as Miami Heat guard Gabe Vincent defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Feb. 20, 2021, in Los Angeles. The Heat even kept it together to pull out a win over the defending NBA champions despite a fourth quarter that nearly went wrong. Nunn scored 27 points, Jimmy Butler had 24 points and eight rebounds, and Miami held off the Los Angeles Lakers 96-94 Saturday night in an NBA Finals rematch. Kyle Kuzma scored 23 points while hitting four 3-pointers, and Montrezl Harrell had 18 points and 10 rebounds for the Lakers. ... Goran Dragić missed his eighth straight game with a sprained left ankle.

Brooklyn Nets guard James Harden, left, dribbles around Los Angeles Lakers guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Feb. 18, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)LOS ANGELES – James Harden scored 23 points, Joe Harris added 21 with six 3-pointers and the Brooklyn Nets routed the short-handed Los Angeles Lakers 109-98 Thursday night for their season-best fifth straight victory. Kyle Kuzma added 16 points and 10 rebounds for Los Angeles, which lost for only the second time in 10 games. Los Angeles intends to be conservative with the All-NBA big man, allowing him to return to full strength before he plays again. James was also the youngest in NBA history to 5,000 points, 10,000 points, 20,000 points and 30,000 points.

(AP Photo/David Zalubowski)DENVER – The sight of Anthony Davis limping off the court was hard for the Los Angeles Lakers to shake. Nikola Jokic recorded his sixth triple-double of the season and the Denver Nuggets beat the Lakers 122-105 on Sunday night in a game in which Davis re-aggravated his sore right Achilles. Now, the only thought for the Lakers is the result of Davis' MRI on Monday for what the team called a strain. For his big game, Jokic credited a new mindset. Entering the game, Davis was questionable with what was described as right Achilles tendinosis.

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James complains about the lack of a foul call during the first half of the team's NBA basketball game against the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday, Feb. 12, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)NEW YORK – LeBron James was warned Saturday for violating the NBA's anti-flopping rule after a play in which the superstar appeared to fall dramatically with little or no contact. The league also warned teammate Kyle Kuzma for flopping in the same game, the Los Angeles Lakers' 115-105 victory over Memphis on Friday. James was between two Memphis players when teammate Anthony Davis took a shot from the other side of the court. Kuzma was defending against Dillon Brooks when he spun all the way around and tumbled across the baseline.

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, right, goes to the basket as Memphis Grizzlies center Xavier Tillman defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Feb. 12, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)LOS ANGELES – Anthony Davis scored 35 points and LeBron James had 28 points, nine rebounds and eight assists in the Los Angeles Lakers' seventh consecutive victory, 115-105 over the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday night. Montrezl Harrell scored 14 points for Los Angeles, which extended its longest win streak in a year even after falling behind by 20 points in the first quarter. The Lakers had their fourth straight terrible start on their homestand, but they took their first lead late in the third quarter. Lakers: Alex Caruso had two points and six assists in his return from a two-game absence with a hand injury.

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, top, is fouled by Atlanta Hawks forward Danilo Gallinari (8) as he goes to the basket in the second half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Feb. 1, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)ATLANTA – Anthony Davis scored 25 points and LeBron James dominated down the stretch as the Los Angeles Lakers closed out a nearly two-week trip with a 107-99 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Monday night. Los Angeles went 5-2 while playing seven road games in 12 days, certainly looking like the fresher team in the closing minutes against the Hawks. AdAtlanta appeared to be taking control, ripping off eight straight points late in the third for a 76-70 lead. ... Los Angeles has won eight of its last nine meetings against Atlanta.

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) looks to shoot as Detroit Pistons center Mason Plumlee (24) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Jan. 28, 2021, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)DETROIT – LeBron James made his first seven shots from the field and looked plenty capable of leading the Lakers to a victory with Anthony Davis sidelined. James scored just two points after halftime, and the Detroit Pistons handed Los Angeles its second straight loss, 107-92 on Thursday night. "We just didn’t have a great rhythm that second half in any way.”Wayne Ellington added 20 points for the Pistons. Pistons: Detroit made all 13 of its free throws.

James played within the offense for the first three quarters, then became more aggressive to start the fourth, scoring the Lakers first 10 points of the period. Montrezl Harrell added 16 points and nine rebounds to help the Lakers win their third straight. Kyle Anderson led Memphis with 18 points, and Jonas Valanciunas had 14 points and 10 rebounds. Grizzlies: Due to local COVID-19 restrictions, the game was played with no general tickets sold. …Rookie Xavier Tillman playing in his first game, scored his first NBA points in the opening quarter.

Los Angeles Lakers' Anthony Davis, right, keeps the ball from San Antonio Spurs' Rudy Gay, left rear, and Drew Eubanks during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 1, 2021, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)SAN ANTONIO – Anthony Davis had 35 points and 11 rebounds and LeBron James added 26 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists as the Los Angeles Lakers rallied to beat the San Antonio Spurs 109-103 on Friday night. The Lakers closed the game with a 9-0 run for their second win against the Spurs in three days. Keldon Johnson had a career-high 26 points and added 10 rebounds and DeMar DeRozan had 23 points, nine rebounds and seven assists for San Antonio. Johnson blocked James’ layup attempt, but Kyle Kuzma tipped in the follow to give the Lakers a 105-103 lead with 53.9 seconds remaining.

Hammon became the first woman to direct an NBA team, taking over the Spurs after coach Gregg Popovich was ejected in a 121-107 loss to the Lakers. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)SAN ANTONIO – Becky Hammon would have preferred a victory over history after becoming the first woman to direct an NBA team. The Lakers took their first double-digit lead at 35-25 on Kyle Kuzma’s 3-pointer with 1:14 remaining in the first quarter. Lakers coach Frank Vogel did not elaborate on Caruso’s status. Spurs: Popovich said the Spurs will monitor Aldridge’s knee soreness on a day-to-day basis.

The AP award was first given out in 1931. James’ fourth win matched Lance Armstrong and Tiger Woods for the most by men. Three women have won the AP award at least four times; Babe Didrikson was a six-time winner, Serena Williams has won five and Chris Evert four. James — also the AP’s male athlete of this past decade — also won the yearly AP award in 2013, 2016 and 2018. Michael Jordan, a three-time winner, is the only other basketball player to win the AP award more than once.

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, right, is defended by Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2020, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)LOS ANGELES – After the Los Angeles Lakers got their championship rings, the Los Angeles Clippers gave a performance that showed this retooled team is determined to contend for its own jewelry several months from now. Paul George scored 26 of his 33 points in the second half, Kawhi Leonard added 26 points and the Los Angeles Clippers rallied past the Los Angeles Lakers on the NBA champions’ ring ceremony night for a 116-109 victory Tuesday. The Clippers beat the Lakers in the season opener for the second straight year while winning coach Tyronn Lue’s debut. Schröder also was impressive in his Lakers debut, with 14 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists.

Kyle Kuzma received one heck of an early Christmas present Sunday. The Los Angeles Lakers’ power forward has agreed to a three-year, $40 million extension with a player option for his final season. ESPN story on Kyle Kuzma and Lakers reaching agreement on a three-year rookie contract extension: https://t.co/nvTYKJj1Y9 — Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 20, 2020The 2020-2021 season is the final year of Kuzma’s rookie contract, and he is expected to earn over $3.5 million. Monday night is the deadline to sign rookie contract extensions. MORELakers’ Kyle Kuzma set to embark on most important season of young NBA careerKyle Kuzma’s Flint giveaway ‘inspiring ... heartwarming’See first athletic shoes designed by Kyle KuzmaKyle Kuzma’s Flint giveaway ‘inspiring ... heartwarming’See first athletic shoes designed by Kyle Kuzma

The Lakers, who beat Miami to win the championship Oct. 11, start the new season against the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday night. Also on Wednesday, Chicago beat Oklahoma City 124-103, and Portland played at Denver. BULLS 124, THUNDER 103At Oklahoma City, the Bulls took control in the second quarter and didn’t let up. LaVine scored 16 points on 6-for-7 shooting in the first quarter while Gilgeous-Alexander scored 11 for Oklahoma City. Oklahoma City couldn’t get into a flow, but part of that was because first-year coach Mark Daigneault gave minutes to 13 players.

FLINT – The 2020-21 season could be the most important of Kyle Kuzma’s young career. Kuzma was tight-lipped about his situation this week during a conference call with a couple of Flint-area reporters. But his numbers slipped last season after the Lakers traded for Anthony Davis. That’s not exactly what Kuzma envisioned entering perhaps the most important year of his career. When asked if he’s spoken to Morris about his new deal, Kuzma joked that Morris no longer takes his calls.

FLINT – Kyle Kuzma hasn’t been able to get back to his hometown lately because the coronavirus has made traveling difficult and he was also busy helping the Los Angeles Lakers win the 2020 NBA championship. Kuzma wasn’t able to be present for the giveaway since the Lakers have begun training camp. “It’s super important, especially in my hometown where there’s a lot of people that are unfortunate, especially in these times of pandemic,” Kuzma said. It’s just really heartwarming to see Kyle Kuzma think of us, think of the kids. “It’s inspiring for myself as an adult, it’s inspiring for the young people we serve.”The Lakers open the exhibition season Friday vs. the Clippers.

FLINT – Kyle Kuzma and UnitedHealthcare are seeing to it that 250 Flint children will be a little warmer this winter. The Los Angeles Lakers forward from Flint is teaming with UnitedHealthcare to provide 250 local children with new winter coats, which will be distributed Thursday, Dec. 10 at the Boys & Girl Clubs of Greater Flint. UnitedHealthcare donated $10,000 to the Kyle Kuzma Foundation to offset the purchase of the coats and Kuzma will be providing new athletic shoes to the children. He has held free basketball camps in Flint, provided free meals to local seniors and donated basketball shoes to the players at Powers Catholic. MORE:See first athletic shoes designed by Kyle KuzmaKuzma giving free meals to seniors impacted by COVIDKyle Kuzma signs five-year deal with PumaKuzma, JaVale McGee help Lakers win NBA titleKuzma faces backlash after giving shoes to Powers

👀👀The All-Pro Kuzma Mid was designed by @KyleKuzma with RHUDE founder @Rhuigi, and drops Nov 27. pic.twitter.com/u1N2UwliiF — Nick DePaula (@NickDePaula) November 9, 2020FLINT – The first athletic shoes co-designed by Flint native Kyle Kuzma of the Los Angeles Lakers will be hitting the market soon. The All-Pro Kuzma Mid is scheduled to be released Nov. 27 but the Lakers' power forward gave fans a sneak peak this week. Kuzma signed a five-year, $20-million contact to endorse Puma products last fall before helping the Lakers win the 2020 NBA championship. In 21 postseason games, Kuzma averaged 10.0 points, 3.1 rebounds and shot 31.3 percent on 3-pointers. MORE:Kyle Kuzma signs five-year deal with PumaKuzma, JaVale McGee help Lakers win NBA titleKuzma faces backlash after giving shoes to Powers

FLINT, MI -- The city is adding four additional drop boxes for absentee ballots at Flint Fire Department stations starting Monday, Oct. 19. The city announced Friday, Oct. 16, that the drop boxes are for absentee ballot voters who choose not to mail in their ballots or submit them directly to the City Clerk’s Office. Fire station drop boxes were installed recently and made possible through a donation from Kyle Kuzma, a Flint native and member of the NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers, the city said in a news release. The city also has six secure and staffed drop boxes at various locations throughout the city. Voters who register to vote, or update their address on Election Day, may vote by absentee in the Clerk’s Office.

FLINT, MI -- Mayor Sheldon Neeley says he’s working to host a citywide celebration to honor NBA champions and Flint natives Kyle Kuzma and JaVale McGee, who helped the LA Lakers win a 17th NBA Championship this week. We thank Kyle and JaVale for showing the world once again that Flint is a community of champions.”Due to COVID-19, details of the celebration still are being worked out, according to the city. The 6-foot-8 power forward averaged 10.0 points and 3.1 rebounds while playing 23 minutes per game. McGee was the Washington Wizards' first-round pick (18th overall) out of Nevada in the 2018 NBA draft. Read more on MLive:Kyle Kuzma, JaVale McGee of Flint help Lakers win NBA championshipLakers' Kyle Kuzma to provide free meals for Flint-area seniors impacted by coronavirusLakers' Kyle Kuzma faces backlash after giving shoes to Powers basketball team

FLINT – Kyle Kumza and JaVale McGee are NBA champions. The Flint natives helped the Los Angeles Lakers capture the 17th NBA championship in franchise history when they beat the Miami Heat 106-93 Sunday in Game 6 to win the best-of-7 series 4-2. For Kuzma, it was his first championship in three NBA seasons since being the Lakers' first-round draft pick (27th overall) out of Utah in the 2017 NBA draft. The championship was the third for McGee, who is in his 12th NBA season and previously won titles with Golden State in 2017 and 2018. MORE:Kyle Kuzma provides free meals for Flint-area seniorsLakers select Kyle Kuzma 27th in NBA draftJaVale McGee lifts Flint with NBA titleMeet Flint’s newest sports franchise

“That’s Jimmy Butler," Heat center Bam Adebayo said. Butler got fouled with 46.7 seconds left, then slumped over the baseline video boards, clearly exhausted. He made both foul shots for a one-point lead; Davis’ putback with 21.8 seconds left got the Lakers back on top. Butler drove the lane, drew contact and made both with 16.8 seconds left for a 109-108 lead. Lakers: James and Davis were a combined 24 for 36.

With a triple-double, he joined NBA Finals lore — and the short-handed Miami Heat might have made this title matchup a series after all. Miami's starters outscored the Lakers' starting five 89-51, and the Heat held the Lakers to a 14-for-42 night from 3-point land. It’s going to be a tough game, Game 4," Herro said. ... Nick Aquilino, the son of Heat neuromuscular therapist Vinny Aquilino, performed the anthem -- a recording from a Heat game with fans in Miami. BUTLER’S TRIPLE-DOUBLEButler became the 21st player to have a triple-double in the NBA Finals — and four of the 21 were part of Sunday’s game.

The NBA Finals are halfway to a coronation. And the last time the Lakers’ franchise has wasted a 2-0 lead was in the 1969 finals against Boston. The Heat have rallied from a 2-0 series hole only once in eight previous tries, that one being the 2006 NBA Finals. ... James, in his 10th NBA Finals, has a 2-0 lead in the title series for the first time. YOUNGEST STARTERHerro, at 20 years, 256 days, became the youngest player to start an NBA Finals game.

The Heat are in the Finals for the first time since 2014, which was a year after winning their third title. He is averaging 20.7 points, 5.7 rebounds and 4.5 assists in the playoffs for a Heat team whose future looks bright. Center/power forward Bam Adebayo, selected 14th in 2017, is averaging 18.5 points and 11.4 rebounds in the playoffs. Second-year guard Duncan Robinson (Michigan) has started all 15 playoff games for the Heat, averaging 11.3 points and shooting 40 percent from three. Frank Vogel has reached the Finals for the first time in his first season with the Lakers.

James scored 29 points and the Lakers wrapped up their first trip to the Western Conference finals since 2010 by topping the Houston Rockets 119-96 on Saturday night in Game 5 at Walt Disney World. Kyle Kuzma scored 17 points, Markieff Morris had 16, Danny Green added 14 and Anthony Davis finished with 13 for the top-seeded Lakers. James is going to the conference finals for the 11th time overall — six with Cleveland, four with Miami and now with the Lakers. The Lakers scored the next 15 points, and the lead was 95-69 going into the final quarter. Lakers: Los Angeles went seven years without a conference-final appearance from 1991 through 1998, the team's longest drought before this 10-year run.

Rondo had 21 points and nine assists as the Lakers broke open a close game in the final period. He scored eight straight points during a 10-0 run early in the fourth quarter that put the Lakers ahead for good. Rondo assisted on a layup by James that put the Lakers ahead with about 10 minutes remaining. Rondo then hit a 3-pointer to give the Lakers an 89-85 advantage, their largest lead to that point. The Lakers blew a 21-point lead in Game 2 but outscored Houston by 10 in the fourth quarter to win 117-109.