NBA roundup: Lakers secure win over Clippers, Mavs top Timberwolves

LeBron James put up 25 points, while Anthony Davis contributed 22 points and 10 rebounds as the Lakers received significant support from their bench, including 13 points from D'Angelo Russell.

The Lakers secured a double-digit lead for the first time in the game when Russell sunk a three-pointer early in the fourth quarter.

Despite capitalizing on several Lakers turnovers, the Clippers tied the game with three free throws from Norman Powell with 2:19 left on the clock.

Taurean Prince's three-pointer regained the lead for the Lakers, with Powell missing a potential game-tying three-pointer in the final second.

Paul George and Ivica Zubac each scored 22 points for the Clippers, who entered the game with a five-game winning streak and the best record in the league since December 1.

"We still had some lapses in execution," commented James. "Improving those details could make us a formidable team. Tonight was a step in the right direction."

In other games, Kyrie Irving netted 35 points and Luka Doncic added 34 as the Dallas Mavericks held off a late surge from the Western Conference leaders, the Minnesota Timberwolves, to claim a 115-108 victory.

Trailing by nine going into the fourth quarter, the Timberwolves surged ahead 106-100 on an Anthony Edwards basket with 3:53 remaining. However, the Mavericks responded with a 13-0 scoring run, tying the game at 106-106 with Irving's three-pointer before securing the win.

Elsewhere, tight finishes included overtime victories for Portland and Orlando, and Cleveland's 117-115 win over San Antonio.

The New Orleans Pelicans and the Toronto Raptors secured comfortable victories, with the Pelicans dominating the Sacramento Kings 133-100 and the Raptors defeating the Golden State Warriors 133-118. Warriors star Stephen Curry struggled, scoring just nine points and missing all nine of his three-point attempts.

RJ Barrett scored a season-high 37 points for the Raptors, while Klay Thompson led the Warriors with 25 points. Draymond Green made a pre-game appearance after serving a 12-game suspension.

In Cleveland, Jarrett Allen's 29 points led the Cavaliers to a victory over the struggling Spurs, despite a strong performance from Spurs' Victor Wembanyama, who scored 24 points, grabbed 10 rebounds, and blocked five shots.

The Portland Trail Blazers edged past the Brooklyn Nets 134-127 in overtime, with Anfernee Simons scoring 38 points, including 19 in the fourth quarter and overtime. Mikal Bridges led the Nets with 42 points.

Lastly, Paolo Banchero's 35 points guided the Orlando Magic to a 117-110 overtime win against the Atlanta Hawks.