LeBron James has triple-doubles, Lakers outlast Knicks in OT

NEW YORK — LeBron James came within 89 points to break the NBA career record and climbed to fourth on the assists list, where he finished with a triple-double on his return to Madison Square Garden as the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the New York Knicks 129-123 on Tuesday night.

James had 28 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds, with points earning him a career-high 38,299. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is the leader with 38,387.

But 38-year-old James’ game has always been about more than goals, as he proved again on Tuesday with his first triple-double of the season. He fed a 3-pointer to Dennis Schroder who made a 118 all-tie 3-13, later snagged his 10th rebound in overtime and then went in the basket 127-121 with 19 seconds left.

He had previously moved up to fourth on the assists list in his first game at Madison Square Garden in three years, ahead of Mark Jackson and then Steve Nash.

Anthony Davis added 27 points and nine rebounds for the Lakers, who lost two straight, to open their journey. Both James and Davis sat out their loss Monday night in Brooklyn.

Jalen Brunson scored 37 points for New York. Julius Randle had 23 points and 12 rebounds.

Bucks 124, hornets 115

MILWAUKEE — Giannis Antetokounmpo had 34 points and 18 rebounds and Milwaukee beat Charlotte to claim its fifth straight win and avenge one of its most embarrassing losses of the season.

The Bucks resisted a triple-double from Charlotte’s LaMelo Ball, who had 27 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds.

Charlotte (16-36) entered the night with the fourth-worst record in the NBA, but the Hornets won 138-109 in Milwaukee on Jan. 6 to give the Bucks their second-most loss of the season.

HEAT 100, CAVALIERE 97

CLEVELAND — Jimmy Butler scored 23 points, Bam Adebayo added 18 points and 11 rebounds and Miami beat Cleveland.

Caleb Martin scored 18 points and set a career high with 10 rebounds, and Tyler Herro also had 18 points for the Heat. They moved within 1 1/2 games behind the fifth-placed Cavs in the Eastern Conference table.

Evan Mobley scored 19 points for Cleveland.

SCHNEIDER 108, BULLS 103

CHICAGO — Kawhi Leonard scored 33 points, Norman Powell added 27 and Los Angeles beat Chicago for their sixth win in seven games.

Paul George added 16 points and 10 rebounds for the Clippers.

Nikola Vucevic had 23 points and 14 rebounds for Chicago.