Lakers Defeat New Jersey, 129-106; James Worthy Twists Left Ankle

NASHVILLE, Tenn. —  A.C. Green and Byron Scott scored 20 points each Tuesday night as the Lakers overpowered the New Jersey Nets, 129-106, in a National Basketball Assn. exhibition game played before a capacity crowd of 15,626 at Memorial Gymnasium on the campus of Vanderbilt University.

Seven players scored in double figures as the defending NBA champion Lakers raised their preseason record to 5-0. They are the only team with a perfect record in the preseason. The Nets fell to 1-4.

The Lakers, playing without Magic Johnson for the third time in their five games, received a scare midway through the first quarter when starting forward James Worthy injured his ankle.

Worthy was taken to the Vanderbilt Medical Center for precautionary X-rays, which showed no fracture, according to a Laker spokesman.

Worthy suffered a twisted left ankle, the spokesman said, adding that Worthy’s status for tonight’s game against the Nets in Pittsburgh, would be determined at game time.

Johnson is sidelined because of tendinitis in his left Achilles’ tendon.

The Lakers led, 37-22, after one quarter of play, but were outscored, 34-25, in the second period, leaving them with a 62-56 advantage at halftime.

The Lakers blew the game open by outscoring the Nets, 31-17, in the third quarter to take a 93-73 advantage entering the final period. The Nets didn’t issue a serious threat after that.

Wes Matthews, starting in place of Johnson, added 18 points for Los Angeles. Forward Kurt Rambis of the Lakers led all rebounders with 11.