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

March 27 – Trailing by 10 points with 3:26 left in regulation, Anthony Davis scored 34 points and pulled down 23 rebounds as the visiting Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Milwaukee Bucks 128-124 in double-overtime on Tuesday.

Austin Reaves of Los Angeles finished with 29 points, 14 rebounds, and 10 assists. With 38.6 seconds left in the second OT, he made the game-winning 3-pointer. For the Lakers (40-32) D’Angelo Russell contributed 29 points and 12 assists.

NBA: Los Angeles Lakers at Milwaukee BucksNBA: Los Angeles Lakers at Milwaukee Bucks

Rui Hachimura finished with 16 points and 14 rebounds as the Lakers won the first game of a six-game road trip, extending their winning streak to four games.

LeBron James of Los Angeles missed the game because of a left ankle ailment.

For the Bucks, Giannis Antetokounmpo finished with 29 points, 21 rebounds, and 11 assists, recording a triple-double. But with 24.2 seconds left in the second overtime, following Reaves’ 3-pointer that put Los Angeles ahead 124-121, he missed two free throws.

NBA: Los Angeles Lakers at Milwaukee BucksNBA: Los Angeles Lakers at Milwaukee BucksNBA: Los Angeles Lakers at Milwaukee Bucks

The Bucks, who had won six straight at home, were led by Damian Lillard with 27 points and eight assists, Malik Beasley with 21 points, and Bobby Portis with 18 points and 13 rebounds. Davis blocked Lillard’s potential game-winning layup at the end of the first overtime.

The Lakers defeated the Bucks 123-122 at home on March 8 to win the season series.

With 8:25 left in regulation, the Lakers were behind 94-75 before they started their rally. The Lakers missed their first seven shots to start the fourth quarter, but Davis scored 11 points for the team. Milwaukee shot 6-for-21 (28.6 percent) for just 13 points in the fourth quarter.

NBA: Los Angeles Lakers at Milwaukee BucksNBA: Los Angeles Lakers at Milwaukee Bucks

The Bucks dominated the first quarter, taking a 19-point lead at one point and winning 32–16 at the end of it. Milwaukee led by 58 points at the half.

The Bucks led 88-74 going into the fourth quarter, but the Lakers closed the gap to seven points four times in the third quarter.

With 4:35 left in the fourth quarter, the Lakers’ 16-2 run reduced the score to 96-91.

NBA: Los Angeles Lakers at Milwaukee Bucks

With 3:26 remaining, Milwaukee led 101-91 thanks to a 5-0 run that was finished off by a 3-pointer from Khris Middleton during a Bucks timeout. With 43.9 seconds remaining in regulation, Taurean Prince made two free throws to help Los Angeles wrap up a 10-0 run.