Teammates, opponents, friends: that describes LeBron James and Dwayne Wade throughout their careers, and those careers crossed paths one final time Monday night. Once again, the edge went to LeBron, as his Los Angeles Lakers got past the Miami Heat, 108-105, at the Staples Center. James took both matchups against his good friend this season, whom he swapped jerseys with after the game. James finished with 28 points, 12 assists, and nine rebounds in his team's 17th win of the season. They also improved to 11-4 on their home floor, as they now sit in the fifth place spot of the Western Conference.
Wade put up 15 points and 10 assists, with all of his points coming off the bench in the second half. To the surprise of no one, both Wade and James had chances down the stretch in clutch moments. Both missed major field goal attempts, but LeBron connected on two key free throws with 22.5 seconds to play. The Lakers' star said after the game that "it's only fitting that it ends in the Staples Center," referencing the rivalry with his good friend.
Both stars were emotional while getting interviewed on NBA TV, but with how close they are, there is no doubt that they will be seeing plenty of each other in the future. Wade did mention after he retires that he will be spending a lot of time in Los Angeles next season. Before we get there, he still has a playoff spot to fight for, as the Heat sit just a half game out of the final playoff spot in the East. They will continue their road trip against the Utah Jazz on Wednesday night. Meanwhile, the Lakers will be in Houston against the Rockets on Thursday.
Elsewhere in the NBA on Monday, the Boston Celtics found a way to stay hot, even with them playing without multiple stars. Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward sat out of Monday's 113-100 win over the New Orleans Pelicans at the TD Garden. The win was their sixth in a row, as Marcus Morris stepped up to lead the way with 31 points on a stellar 10-of-15 shooting. Morris, who now goes by "Marcus Morris Sr." with the birth of his son, helped Boston pull away with three quick three-pointers to begin the second half. His point total was a season-high, as he led the Celtics to a 48.9 shooting percentage.
Al Horford also sat out for the Celtics, who are back up to a five-seed in the East after a slow start to their season. Jayson Tatum added 21 points against a Pelicans team that was on the second night of a back-to-back. They were coming off an eight-point win over the Detroit Pistons on Sunday afternoon. Jaylen Brown stepped in down low with Aron Baynes also sitting, scoring 19 points for the Celtics, who are now 8-3 on their home floor and six games over .500 on the season.
Anthony Davis put up 41 points on the night, while Julius Randle had a second straight impressive outing with 20 points and 11 rebounds. He led the way in Sunday's win with Davis missing most of the game with a hip injury. The Pelicans will enjoy Tuesday off before hosting the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday night, while the Celtics will visit the Washington Wizards that same night.
Wade put up 15 points and 10 assists, with all of his points coming off the bench in the second half. To the surprise of no one, both Wade and James had chances down the stretch in clutch moments. Both missed major field goal attempts, but LeBron connected on two key free throws with 22.5 seconds to play. The Lakers' star said after the game that "it's only fitting that it ends in the Staples Center," referencing the rivalry with his good friend.
Both stars were emotional while getting interviewed on NBA TV, but with how close they are, there is no doubt that they will be seeing plenty of each other in the future. Wade did mention after he retires that he will be spending a lot of time in Los Angeles next season. Before we get there, he still has a playoff spot to fight for, as the Heat sit just a half game out of the final playoff spot in the East. They will continue their road trip against the Utah Jazz on Wednesday night. Meanwhile, the Lakers will be in Houston against the Rockets on Thursday.
Elsewhere in the NBA on Monday, the Boston Celtics found a way to stay hot, even with them playing without multiple stars. Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward sat out of Monday's 113-100 win over the New Orleans Pelicans at the TD Garden. The win was their sixth in a row, as Marcus Morris stepped up to lead the way with 31 points on a stellar 10-of-15 shooting. Morris, who now goes by "Marcus Morris Sr." with the birth of his son, helped Boston pull away with three quick three-pointers to begin the second half. His point total was a season-high, as he led the Celtics to a 48.9 shooting percentage.
Al Horford also sat out for the Celtics, who are back up to a five-seed in the East after a slow start to their season. Jayson Tatum added 21 points against a Pelicans team that was on the second night of a back-to-back. They were coming off an eight-point win over the Detroit Pistons on Sunday afternoon. Jaylen Brown stepped in down low with Aron Baynes also sitting, scoring 19 points for the Celtics, who are now 8-3 on their home floor and six games over .500 on the season.
Anthony Davis put up 41 points on the night, while Julius Randle had a second straight impressive outing with 20 points and 11 rebounds. He led the way in Sunday's win with Davis missing most of the game with a hip injury. The Pelicans will enjoy Tuesday off before hosting the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday night, while the Celtics will visit the Washington Wizards that same night.
