With an outstanding performance, LeBron James led the Los Angeles Lakers to their 20th win of the season in the North American basketball league NBA.

The 38-year-old was once again the Lakers' best pitcher with 48 points in the 140:132 home win against the Houston Rockets. It was only on Sunday that James was only the second player in NBA history to reach the 38,000 point mark.

The German national team captain Dennis Schröder contributed 9 points to the win in 33 minutes, Russell Westbrook scored 24 points. The Lakers remain outside the playoff places in the Western Conference after 24 defeats, but kept in touch with their competitors.

Grizzlies winning streak

Previously, Ja Morant's Memphis Grizzlies won for the tenth straight season in the NBA and remain the most in-form team in the league. The top team in the Western Conference won 136-106 against the struggling Phoenix Suns, with Morant recording 29 points. For the Suns, who once again played without their injured top performers Chris Paul and Devin Booker, it was their ninth defeat in the past ten games.

Like the Denver Nuggets, the Grizzlies now have 30 wins and 13 losses this season, no team in the Western Conference is better. Only the Boston Celtics have more wins this season in the NBA. The leaders of the Eastern Conference won his away game at the Charlotte Hornets 130:118 and benefited from a great Jayson Tatum. The 24-year-old excelled with his season bests of 51 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists. It was the seventh win in a row for the Celtics.

Chaser Milwaukee Bucks made it 132-119 in game three without Giannis Antetokounmpo against the Indiana Pacers to defend third place in the East. Jrue Holiday had a season best of 35 points.

Thanks to 41 points from Steph Curry, defending champions Golden State Warriors recorded a 127:118 against the Washington Wizards. The team is still just outside the direct playoff places.