Bulls shock Boston as LeBron sets NBA record for minutes played

Zach LaVine scored a season-high 36 points to lead the Chicago Bulls to a 117-108 upset victory over defending NBA champion Boston on Thursday as LeBron James made history again.

LaVine went 11-of-19 from the floor and made six 3-pointers while adding six rebounds and four assists for the Bulls, who improved to 13-15 on the season.

“We’re a good team,” LaVine said. “We’re competitive and we’re a resilient group.”

Ayo Dosunmu contributed 17 points for the Bulls, while Nikola Vucevic had 16 points and 14 rebounds for Chicago.

The Bulls outscored Boston 35-22 in the fourth quarter to rally past the Celtics, who had 31 points and 10 rebounds from Jason Tatum, 20 points from Kristaps Porzingis and 19 from Jaylen Brown in a losing effort as Boston fell to 21-6 on the season.

James broke the NBA record for all minutes played, which had belonged to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar when he was on the court in his 57,447. minute of NBA competition and the 10th minute of the game as he helped the Los Angeles Lakers beat Sacramento 113-100.

James, who passed Abdul-Jabbar for the all-time NBA scoring record earlier this year, scored 19 points, while Austin Reaves had 25 points and Anthony Davis added 21 points and 20 rebounds.

“It’s just a commitment to the craft and the passion and love I have for the game,” James said. “I don’t spend much time in the off-season, a little more time now.”

French star Victor Wembanyama scored 42 points to power the San Antonio Spurs to a 133-126 overtime triumph over visiting Atlanta.

De’Andre Hunter, who led the Hawks with 27 points off the bench, hit a dunk with 11 seconds left to pull Atlanta level at 120-120 and force overtime, where Wemby had a dunk and two 3-pointers to score Atlanta own hand.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 35 points to spark the Western Conference-leading Oklahoma City Thunder to a 105-99 triumph in Orlando. Anthony Black led the Magic with 23 points off the bench.

Memphis routed the visiting Golden State Warriors 144-93, but lost guard Ja Morant to counter soreness after a fall after playing just 17 minutes.

Spanish forward Santi Aldama had 21 points and 14 rebounds off the bench to lead the Grizzlies, who made a club-record 27 3-pointers in 48 attempts, with Aldama and Luke Kennard each hitting five to lead the way.

– Towns win in return –

New York’s Karl-Anthony Towns, who received a standing ovation from fans when he returned from Minnesota after being traded away, scored 32 points and grabbed 20 rebounds to power the Knicks over the host Timberwolves 133-107.

“I’m just glad I was able to play the game I had,” Towns said.

“I’m just happy our team was able to win. I called this place home for nine seasons. This place means a lot to me… I wasn’t going to let my emotions get the better of the game. I wasn’t playing for myself. I was playing for the victory.”

At Houston, Jalen Green scored 34 points and Dillon Brooks added 26 to lead the host Rockets over New Orleans 133-113.

In Dallas, Norman Powell scored 29 points and James Harden added 24 to power the Los Angeles Clippers over the host Mavericks 118-95.

In Indianapolis, Pascal Siakam had 25 points and 18 rebounds to lead the Indiana Pacers over Phoenix 120-111 despite a 37-point performance by Kevin Durant in a losing cause.

In Portland, Anfernee Simons scored 28 points and made a layup at the buzzer to give the host Trail Blazers a 126-124 victory over Denver despite 34 points from Nikola Jokic for the Nuggets.

Brooklyn’s Cameron Johnson had 33 points, 10 rebounds and six assists to pace the Nets in a 101-94 victory in Toronto.

Utah’s Collin Sexton scored 30 points and Keyonte George added 28 to lead the Jazz to a 126-119 victory in Detroit.

Jordan Poole scored 27 points and reserve Malcolm Brogdon added 25 to lead the Washington Wizards over visiting Charlotte 123-114. LaMelo Ball led the Hornets with 34 points.

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