NBA: LeBron James-less Lakers pull even late, top Bucks in 2 OTs

Published March 27, 2024 11:25am Anthony Davis scored 34 points and grabbed 23 rebounds as the visiting Los Angeles Lakers pulled off a 128-124 double-overtime victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday after trailing by 10 points with 3:26 remaining in regulation. Los Angeles’ Austin Reaves amassed 29 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists, and […]

NBA: LeBron James-less Lakers pull even late, top Bucks in 2 OTs

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Anthony Davis scored 34 points and grabbed 23 rebounds as the visiting Los Angeles Lakers pulled off a 128-124 double-overtime victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday after trailing by 10 points with 3:26 remaining in regulation.

Los Angeles’ Austin Reaves amassed 29 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists, and he hit the go-ahead 3-pointer with 38.6 seconds remaining in the second overtime. D’Angelo Russell added 29 points and 12 assists for the Lakers (40-32).

Rui Hachimura finished with 16 points with 14 rebounds as the Lakers increased their winning streak to four games by taking the opener of a six-game road trip.

Los Angeles star LeBron James sat out due to a left ankle injury.

Giannis Antetokounmpo delivered a triple-double with 29 points, 21 rebounds and 11 assists for the Bucks. However, he missed two free throws with 24.2 seconds remaining in the second overtime after Reaves made his 3-pointer that gave Los Angeles a 124-121 lead.

Damian Lillard amassed 27 points and eight assists, Malik Beasley added 21 points and Bobby Portis had 18 points and 13 rebounds for the Bucks, who saw their six-game home winning streak end. Lillard had a potential go-winning layup at the end of the first overtime blocked by Davis.

The Lakers swept the season series over the Bucks, having earned a 123-122 home victory on March 8.

The Lakers were down 94-75 with 8:25 remaining in regulation before they began their comeback. Davis had 11 points in the fourth quarter for the Lakers, who missed their first seven shots to open the final period. Milwaukee had just 13 points in the fourth, shooting 6-for-21 (28.6 percent).

The Bucks dominated early, leading by as many as 19 points in the first quarter and ending the period with a 32-16 advantage. Milwaukee had a 58-42 lead at halftime.

The Lakers got within seven points four times in the third quarter before the Bucks entered the final period with an 88-74 lead.

A 16-2 run by the Lakers in the fourth quarter cut the deficit to 96-91 with 4:35 remaining.

After a Bucks timeout, Milwaukee delivered a 5-0 burst, capped by a 3-pointer from Khris Middleton to take a 101-91 lead with 3:26 left. Los Angeles closed its 10-0 run at the end of regulation on two free throws from Taurean Prince with 43.9 seconds left. — Field Level Media/Reuters