White Christmas for Lakers

MANILA, Philippines — Anthony Davis scored 28 points while LeBron James added 22 as the defending NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers routed Dallas, 138-115, in Friday’s featured game of a record-setting Christmas slate.

James had a game-high 10 assists and seven rebounds, while Davis contributed eight rebounds, five assists and two steals and reserve Montrezl Harrell had 22 points for the Lakers, who played on the holiday for a 22nd consecutive year.

“We have a lot of offensive firepower,” Lakers coach Frank Vogel said.

James, who turns 36 on Wednesday, rose to second on the NBA’s all-time Christmas points list with 383, passing Oscar Robertson by six to pull within 12 of matching the late Kobe Bryant’s career record.

Slovakian star guard Luka Doncic scored 27 points for Dallas.

Brooklyn’s Kyrie Irving and Miami’s Duncan Robinson each matched an NBA Christmas record with seven 3-pointers.

Irving scored 37 points as the Nets ripped his former Celtics teammates, 123-95. Robinson had 23 points as 2020 NBA runner-up Miami beat New Orleans, 111-98.