Nets at Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers seek their fifth straight victory and 12th in the past 13 games when they host the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday. Los Angeles has been especially strong over the past two games with victories over the NBA-best Milwaukee Bucks and the Los Angeles Clippers.
MVP candidate LeBron James was the best player on the floor in back-to-back wins with reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo (Bucks) and two-time NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard (Clippers) as the lead competitors. "I prepare myself both in my body and my mind and to endure anything, even at this stage in my career," James told reporters after recording 28 points, nine assists and seven rebounds in Sunday's 112-103 win over the Clippers. "I know what it takes for me to prepare mentally and physically and go out and perform on a high level, and it's my responsibility to put this team in a position to be successful. They look at me as a leader." The Nets produced a 110-107 home triumph over the Chicago Bulls on Sunday in Jacque Vaughn's first game as interim coach after the club surprisingly parted ways with Kenny Atkinson on Saturday. "I think he's gonna do a great job and we're focused on him and also helping him be the best that he can be,” guard Spencer Dinwiddie said of Vaughn.
TIME: 10:30 p.m. ET. TV: YES, Spectrum SportsNet
ABOUT THE NETS (29-34): Center DeAndre Jordan moved into the starting lineup for his fifth start of the season and recorded 11 points, 15 rebounds and three blocked shots, while usual starter Jarrett Allen had 11 points and six rebounds in 19 minutes off the bench. "It was just a personnel thing, just the rhythm with certain guys," Jordan told reporters after the club outrebounded the Bulls 50-31. "It's never player versus player - it's for the betterment of the team." Dinwiddie scored 24 points and shooting guard Caris LeVert and small forward Joe Harris tallied 23 apiece as Brooklyn won for the third time in the past four games.
ABOUT THE LAKERS (49-13): All-Star power forward Anthony Davis scored 30 points against both the Bucks and Lakers and is averaging 32.7 points over the past three games. James was superb with 37 points, eight rebounds and eight assists against the Bucks before excelling against the Clippers and impressing Los Angeles coach Frank Vogel. "His best weekend in a Lakers uniform I'm assuming," Vogel told reporters. "I wasn't here last year but, in my mind, this was the best two-game stretch. Really just dominated both games and helped close them out."
BUZZER BEATERS
1. James had 27 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists as the Lakers recorded a 128-113 road win over the Nets on Jan. 23.
2. Los Angeles G Avery Bradley established season highs of 24 points and six 3-pointers against the Clippers.
3. LeVert is averaging 28.8 points while making 39-of-75 field-goal attempts over the past four games.