Atlanta Hawks forward John Collins (20) scores as Detroit Pistons guard Luke Kennard (5) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Dec. 14, 2017, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Atlanta Hawks forward John Collins (20) scores as Detroit Pistons guard Luke Kennard (5) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Dec. 14, 2017, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore) Credit: John Bazemore

Cleveland — LeBron James recorded his 59th career triple-double in front of Lonzo Ball and his brothers, Kevin Love scored 28 points and the Cleveland Cavaliers won for the 16th time in 17 games, 121-112 over the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night.

James finished with 25 points, 12 rebounds and 12 assists to move a tie with Larry Bird for sixth place on the career triple-doubles list. He also put the Lakers away with a dunk and short runner in the final two minutes.

Love scored 13 in the third quarter, when the Cavs opened an 11-point lead on the way to their 10th straight home win. Jose Calderon added a season-high 17 points for Cleveland.

Brandon Ingram scored 26 for the Lakers and Ball had 13 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds.

It was the first on-court meeting between James and Ball, the Lakers’ highly touted rookie whose outspoken father LaVar has brought both attention and animosity toward his son.

Knicks 111, Nets 104

New York — Courtney Lee scored 18 of his 27 points in the second half, Michael Beasley added 15, and New York held on to beat Brooklyn after losing star forward Kristaps Porzingis to a sore left knee early in the second half.

Porzingis motioned to the bench with 9:25 remaining in the third quarter after contesting a shot made by Brooklyn’s Rondae Hollis-Jefferson. The Knicks’ leading scorer had scored 13 points in nearly 18 minutes in the first half.

Pistons 105, Hawks 91

Atlanta — Andre Drummond had 12 points, 19 rebounds and a career-high nine assists, Tobias Harris added 19 points and Detroit snapped a seven-game slide.

Timberwolves 119, Kings 96

Minneapolis — Karl-Anthony Towns had 30 points and 14 assists in his league-leading 23rd double-double, Jimmy Butler added 21 points and nine assists and Minnesota cruised over Sacramento.

Andrew Wiggins scored 22 points for Minnesota (17-12), which has won three of four and is off to the third-best start in franchise history after 29 games.