NBA on Dec. 30: Happy birthday to LeBron James

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The Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday lost their third game out of their last four as they were defeated by the Dallas Mavericks 103-105. The Los Angeles Lakers avoided their third straight loss by taking revenge on the Sacramento Kings 121-114 at home, sending a gift to LeBron James on his birthday.

Russell Westbrook ruins Paul George's efforts

Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder handles the ball against the defense by Dennis Smith Jr. of the Dallas Mavericks. /VCG Photo

Paul George again dropped the court's highest 36 points including 13 in the last quarter. Dennis Schroder also scored 19 points from the bench. However, their efforts failed to bring Oklahoma City a win because the team's No.1 player Russell Westbrook again delivered a disappointing performance of only nine points, nine rebounds, eight assists, six steals and five turnovers.

Luka Doncic put down the team's highest 25 points plus seven assists for Dallas. The team's center DeAndre Jordan dropped another double-double of 12 points and 17 rebounds. Dennis Smith Jr. who became a target of trade rumors contributed to the victory with 14 points.

DeAndre Jordan #6 of the Mavericks grabs a rebound in the game. /VCG Photo

The two teams were locked together in this game for 48 minutes. The Mavericks played a smarter game and managed open shots by moving the ball, which explained their 14-9 lead in three pointers. Meanwhile, thanks to Jordan's protection of the paint, Dallas took 10 more rebounds 49-39, neutralizing OKC's offensive rebounding, one of their most lethal weapons.

By contrast, the Thunder, with their superior athleticism, had a dominant advantage in early offense scoring 31-4. The team also led in steals (15-8) and forced the Mavericks to commit as many as 23 turnovers which led to 20 points.

Paul George of the Thunder shoots the ball in the game. /VCG Photo

George had the chance to be hero in the fourth quarter when he scored 11 consecutive points. Though he missed a key perimeter shot in the last four seconds, he already did everything he could. The real man to be blamed for OKC's loss was Westbrook. Missing the last three-pointer was understandable but his total field goal performance of 4/22, including 0/8 for three-pointers were unforgivable, not to mention he earned only two free throws and missed one.

In the 27 games he's played this season, Westbrook was still able to maintain a triple-double performance average of 20.6 points, 10.7 rebounds and 10.1 assists. However, his 42 percent field goal rate, 24 percent of three-point rate and 60 percent free throw rate are hurting the Thunder.

Happy birthday to LeBron James

LeBron James (C) watches the game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Sacramento Kings. /VCG Photo

Without LeBron James and Rajon Rondo, the Los Angeles Lakers managed to defeat the Sacramento Kings 121-114 at the Staples Center thanks to 20+ point scoring performance by Josh Hart, Brandon Ingram and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. The Lakers' young men sent this victory as a gift to James to celebrate the King's 34th birthday.

On Sunday, James received wishes from a lot of NBA players. Chris Paul of the Houston Rockets posted four pictures of him and James together with the following words: "Been at this a long time…Happy birthday brother! #brotherhood #HairlinesWasAlotDifferent."

Dwyane Wade posted on Instagram a picture of the old "Big Three" of the Miami Heat (Wade, James and Chris Bosh) with "Happy 34th to my BIG 3 brother @kingjames."

From left to right: Dwyane Wade, LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony and Chris Paul of their "Banana Boat Team." /VCG Photo

The other member of their "Banana Boat Team," Carmelo Anthony wrote "16 years of eternity and counting!!!! Happy born day to @kingjames #brotherhood #STAYME7O."

Basketball Hall of Famer Allen Iverson sent his wishes to James: "Happy birthday to the Chosen One. Many more to you. I love you!!!"

Both James' former and current teammates sent their wishes, too. Tristan Thompson of the Cavaliers tweeted: "Happy birthday bro @kingjames" while J.R. Smith wrote "Happy GOAT Day to the King Always love bro! See you soon my G! @kingjames."

Tristan Thompson (L) of the Cleveland Cavaliers and James (R) greet each other. /VCG Photo

The Lakers' Lonzo Ball posted on Twitter "34 years young! HAHA happy birthday my dude @kingjames Have a blessed on" when Kyle Kuzma wrote "Happy birthday to my bro @kingjames happy 25th!!!!! #StillGotAFullTank."

Besides players, the press world also sent their wishes to James. ESPN wrote "Celebrating @kingjames' 34 birthday with 34 memorable moments" accompanying a video of highlights from his career.

Yahoo Sports put three pictures of James wearing jerseys of the Cavaliers, the Heat and the Lakers together with "So many of us watched him grow up or grew up with him. What a journey it has been. Happy 34th birthday @kingjames!"

James gives an address at the opening of the "I Promise" school. /VCG Photo

UAS Today Sports tweeted: "Dec. 30: The day of GOAT Happy 43rd to @TigerWoods and happy 34th birthday to @kingjames" with pictues of both Woods and James.

The school James helped build, "I Promise" sent wishes: "Happy birthday hometown hero @kingjames." Even NBA 2K19, a video game presented by 2K Sports, got involved: "Big Mood Happy birthday to our guy @kingjames."

Other sports worlds sent wishes as well. Liverpool, the only undefeated club of Premier League this season wrote on Twitter: "LFC and kings - a perfect combo Happy birthday @kingjames," while Bundesliga's Bayern Munich posted a picture of James Rodríguez wearing the Lakers' No.23 Jersey of James with "from our James to you, happy birthday, LeBron."

James (R2) watches a baseball game with his teammates. /VCG Photo

Major League Baseball (MLB): "Happy birthday, @kingjames! P.S. Please bring back this outfit" to accompany a picture of James wearing the jersey of the Cleveland Indians.

Other games on Sunday included: (away teams come first)

Detroit Pistons 107-109 Orlando Magic

Minnesota Timberwolves 113-104 Miami Heat

Chicago Bulls 89-95 Toronto Raptors

Philadelphia 76ers 95-129 Portland Trail Blazers