LeBron James scored 38 points (7 during a 10-0 run in the fourth quarter), and the Los Angeles Lakers went on a 15-4 run in the third quarter to beat the Indiana Pacers 104-96.
The Pacers went on a 15-3 run to lead 69-66 with 4:45 left in the third quarter. James’ step-back 3-pointer put the Lakers ahead for good with 4:02 left in the quarter. He scored 7 points during the run, and they led 81-73 with 1:09 left in the quarter and by as many as 13 in the fourth quarter.
The Pacers got within 89-88 on Domantas Sabonis’ 15-foot jumper with 4:56 to play, but James answered with a 3-pointer, and the Pacers got no closer.
During clutch time, the Lakers outscored the Pacers 5-2. James scored all 5 of the Lakers’ points on 2 for 2 shooting. Early in the fourth quarter, Thaddeus Young had 2 of his 5 steals in 15 seconds.
For the Pacers, Sabonis had 20 points and 15 rebounds off the bench. Young had 11 points and 5 steals.
The Lakers shot 48.8% from the field to the Pacers’ 37.2% and outscored them 58-38 in the paint. The Pacers’ starters were outscored 37-24 in 16 minutes together.