LeBron James scored 38 points, Max Christie had a career-high 28 and the Los Angeles Lakers overcame Anthony Davis’ absence for a 114-106 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers. James hit a season-high seven 3-pointers and Christie added five for the Lakers, who have won six of eight .Davis sat out for only the second time this season to rest his sprained left ankle, which the star big man hurt on Christmas. Anfernee Simons scored 11 of his 23 points in the fourth quarter for the Blazers, who have lost four of six.
Tyler Toffoli and Mario Ferraro scored and the San Jose Sharks snapped an eight-game winless streak by beating the Tampa Bay Lightning 2-1. Toffoli used a nifty toe drag to score his 15th goal of the season midway through the first and Ferraro added a goal in the second to give the Sharks their first home win since Nov. 29. San Jose was 0-7-1 in its last eight games and had just one win in 12 games in a stretch that started with an 8-1 loss at Tampa on Dec. 5. Anthony Cirelli scored for the Lightning.
Led by Jevon Porter's 22 points, the Loyola Marymount Lions defeated the Oregon State Beavers 82-61. Will Johnston added 19 points, seven assists and six rebounds for Loyola Marymount (9-6, 1-2 West Coast Conference). Michael Rataj led Oregon State (11-4, 1-1) with 19 points, six rebounds, five assists and five steals.
Tre White had 20 points and 11 rebounds as No. 22 Illinois made a resounding statement on the road with a 109-77 blowout of ninth-ranked Oregon. Ben Humrichous shot 4 of 7 from 3-point range and scored 18 points on a night when Illinois went 16 for 29 behind the arc. Kylan Boswell also made four 3s and finished with 15 points for the Fighting Illini. Kasparas Jakucionis added 16 points, six rebounds and six assists. Jake Davis scored 12. Supreme Cook scored 20 to lead the Ducks, while Nate Bittle added 13 points and five rebounds.
Stephen Curry had 30 points and made all eight of his 3-point attempts, and the Golden State Warriors beat the Philadelphia 76ers 139-105. Jonathan Kuminga added 20 points off the bench. Joel Embiid led the Sixers with 28 points and 14 rebounds. Golden State led 35-19 after the first quarter and extended a 16-point halftime lead to 25 at the end of the third quarter. Curry had 24 points by halftime after going 6 of 6 from 3-point range. He made consecutive 3-pointers early in the fourth to put the Warriors up by 30.
San Jose Sharks defenseman Mario Ferraro (38) is congratulated by teammate after scoring a goal against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the second period of an NHL hockey game in San Jose, Calif., Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Mitchell Chaffee (41) fights with San Jose Sharks defenseman Mario Ferraro (38) during the second period of an NHL hockey game in San Jose, Calif., Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
San Jose Sharks goaltender Yaroslav Askarov allows a goal by Tampa Bay Lightning center Anthony Cirelli during the second period of an NHL hockey game in San Jose, Calif., Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Nick Paul is checked into the boards by San Jose Sharks defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic (44) during the second period of an NHL hockey game in San Jose, Calif., Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
Oregon guard Ra'Heim Moss (0) grimaces as Oregon forward Kwame Evans Jr. lands hard. Illinois guard Kasparas Jakucionis and forward Morez Johnson Jr., right, go for the ball during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Eugene, Ore., Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Thomas Boyd)
