The Brooklyn Nets claimed a comeback win over the Indiana Pacers 105-98 at the Barclays Center on Friday, reaching 50 percent of winning rate (3-3) after six games.

James Harden, who only earned 15 free throws in the previous five games, walked to the free-throw line 19 times on Friday and made 16 of his shots there. Having drained three triples as well, he dropped 29 points, eight rebounds and eight assists plus two blocks, playing a key role in his team's 16-point comeback victory at home.

"That's just being aggressive. First couple of games, I wasn't aggressive," said Harden after the game. "I keep saying, every game I feel better – eventually things is (are) going to happen when it's consistent and I'm out there playing like myself."

But Harden (5-11) did not take the most attempts of the Nets – LaMarcus Aldridge did by going 10-16 in field goals (FGs) to get 21 points and eight rebounds. His career points reached 20,011, becoming the seventh active player to score 20,000 points following LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Kevin Durant, Harden, Russell Westbrook and Chris Paul. Aldridge is also the 48th player in NBA history to reach this cornerstone.

"I knew. That's why I was laughing after I (hit the mark)," said the 36-year-old veteran. "The guys in the back have told me every day how close I was, 16, six, I needed 10 or whatever."

Despite the win and the exciting moments for his teammates, Durant did not have a pleasant night. However, he was 7-10 from the floor to put down 22 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists while committing seven turnovers. He received a technical foul after launching the ball into the stands in the third quarter.

Rick Carlisle, head coach of the Pacers, said he was surprised that Durant had not been ejected after such a move. "I think I saw Kevin Durant wind up and throw the ball overhand, 10 or 15 rows into the stands and not get ejected," said Carlisle. "I think that's what I saw. And so that was shocking."

"In real time, the official that made the call did not think the ball entered the stands with force," admitted crew chief Sean Wright said after the game. "After seeing the video postgame, we did see that the ball did go into the stands with force and Kevin Durant should have been ejected."

Melo shoots down victory again from downtown for Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 113-101 at Staples Center on Friday to avoid losing-streak.

Carmelo Anthony made six triples to score 24 points off the bench. All of those 3-pointers happened in the second half when the purple and gold began to take over the game. He was only two points away from outscoring the whole bench of the opponents.

Friday night also belonged to the other veteran from the 2003 Class. Eighteen years ago, 19-year-old LeBron James made his NBA debut wearing the No. 23 jersey of the Cleveland Cavaliers. He had 25 points, six rebounds, nine assists and four steals in his first game.

18 years later, 37-year-old James played as a Laker against the Cavaliers. This was not his best performing game as he shot 1-10 from the arc, but he still managed to get 25 points, eight assists and three steals after going 8-11 under the rim. When James delivered that chasedown block on Collin Sexton in the second quarter, he did not seem like a 37-old guy who just rested one game due to sour ankle.

The Cavaliers were an interesting squad. They are probably the only team that can match the Lakers in frontcourt size by having Lauri Markkanen, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen in the starting lineup, as well as Kevin Love in the backup unit. However, that's only theoretical because having the above four big men did not change the fact that the Cavaliers trailed the Lakers in total rebounds (42-36), second-chance points (18-17) and points in the paint (60-44).

When James charged into the paint, neither Markkanen nor Mobley was strong enough to challenge him to make layups.

But Mobley still did a good job in many other things. The first-year rookie was 10-16 in FGs and made one 3-pointer to get 23 points, six rebounds, three assists and two stills; his speed and agility were very impressive, switching to cover perimeter players.

James praised the 20-year-old young man too. "He's gonna be a d**n good basketball player in this league. It's so crazy because he was just playing against my son a couple years ago. It's weird. It's getting more weird by the day," said James after the game.

Other games on Friday (away teams come first):

Orlando Magic 109-110 Toronto Raptors

Charlotte Hornets 99-114 Miami Heat

Sacramento Kings 113-109 New Orleans Pelicans

Dallas Mavericks 75-106 Denver Nuggets

Los Angeles Clippers 92-111 Portland Trail Blazers