Lakers slip by visiting Bulls

[January 09, 2021]  LeBron James had 28 points, seven rebounds and seven assists, and the Los Angeles Lakers held on for a 117-115 victory over the visiting Chicago Bulls on Friday.

Montrezl Harrell contributed 17 points and 14 rebounds for the Lakers, who played without Anthony Davis (left adductor strain). Dennis Schroder also scored 17, while Wesley Matthews had 14 points and Markieff Morris added 11.

Zach LaVine, who scored 19 points in the first quarter, had 38 points and six assists for the Bulls. Wendell Carter Jr. collected 23 points and seven rebounds and Thaddeus Young chipped in 15 points and seven boards. Coby White finished with 14 points.

A bucket by Young pulled the Bulls within 114-112 with 1:32 left. But James scored on a drive for a 116-112 lead with 46.5 seconds remaining.
 

However, a 3-pointer by Garrett Temple with 37 seconds left cut the deficit to one. After James missed a trey, LaVine failed to convert a jumper with 4.7 seconds remaining.

A free throw by Schroder at 0.5 clinched the win.

In the third, Matthews sparked a Lakers' run. His 3-pointer boosted a 15-2 surge and put the Lakers up 86-79 with four minutes left. After two foul shots by LaVine knotted the store at 88, Harrell scored the final four points of the quarter for a 92-88 Lakers' lead heading into the fourth.

Los Angeles Lakers forward Montrezl Harrell (15) moves to the basket against Chicago Bulls forward Daniel Gafford (12) during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Matthews scored 12 points in the third on four 3-pointers.

The Lakers held a 59-58 advantage at the break. Both teams shot well, with the Lakers making 51.2 percent of their shots to 53.1 percent for the Bulls.

The Lakers were playing the second end of back-to-back contests after falling to the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday.

Bulls forward Otto Porter Jr. left the contest in the first half with back spasms and did not return. Forward Lauri Markkanen sat out his sixth straight contest due to the league health and protocols policies.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (left ankle sprain) missed his fourth game in a row.

--Field Level Media

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