After two straight losses on the road (Spurs and Rockets), the Lakers reacted with style. By showing control in the second half, once is not custom, the Californians let LeBron James take matters into their own hands to repel the Wizards.
The latter, after a perfectly balanced first quarter (26-26), broke away at the end of the first period thanks to the finishes near the circle of the tandem Kyle Kuzma – Rui Hachimura. In the lead at the break (52-59), the visitors, dominating the battle for the rebound at this stage (36-18), did not manage to increase their lead to 10 points despite the good outside address by Corey Kispert.
On the contrary, they suffered a real festival from LeBon James who largely neglected the distribution to score at will. With him, the activity near the circle of Talen Horton-Tucker (author of a superb “spin move” sequence then a big poster of Kyle Kuzma!) as well as a good unexpected sequence from Wenyen Gabriel, the Lakers have reversed the steam to turn with three possessions in advance after three quarters (89-82).
Carried by Tomas Satoransky, the Wizards tried to hang on to the score but LeBron James picked up where he left off and the Lakers, who were up to 18 points ahead in the “money time” the took away without difficulty.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– No circle protection. Both teams scored 50 or more points on the opposing side. It must be said that apart from Daniel Gafford (three counterattacks), no actor mobilized on the floor has emerged as a circle protector. This was all the more true on the Lakers side, still dominated in rebounds, which let Dwight Howard chain a second “DNP” in a row.
– Russell Westbrook deprived of the end of the match. He played the first three minutes of the last quarter, the time to lose a ball in penetration and force a shot with the board, before joining the bench. And never leave him. The leader paid a new hyper mediocre performance, especially in the second quarter (1/7 on shots). Compared to all the other Lakers starters, he’s never been in the right tempo. And couldn’t even improve his score on the free throw line. It’s the 10th time this season that he hasn’t scored 10 points.
– LeBron James, hyper demonstrative. At least with him, Crypto.com Arena viewers get their money’s worth! Especially in this match since the superstar spent a good part of the evening haranguing the crowd after his baskets scored. A good way perhaps for him to evacuate some of his frustration with the Lakers’ black season.
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ LeBron James. What a game again! He was particularly impressive in the third quarter with 19 points, including 12 straight points without one of his teammates scoring. We note in particular his long shot in first intention in transition, an elegant one-handed finish after a long “hangtime” or his overpowered dunk in counter-attack. In the final period, he also signed some very complicated shots, including a “fadeaway” very well defended by Kyle Kuzma.
⛔ Kristaps Porzingis. Best evaluation of his team and best rebounder of the match but the Latvian did anything but give the feeling of dominating. Defended most of the time by LeBron James, he failed to take advantage of his size advantage. The giant was very clumsy near the circle and did not weigh at all at the end of the game. He only played the last four minutes of this last quarter.
LEBRON JAMES EQUALS RICK BARRY
With his 14th career 50-point game, LeBron James tied Rick Barry for 6th place in league history for most-performing players at 50 points. He is also the 6th player in history to score 50 or more points in two straight home games, and the only 30-something to have done so.
THE FOLLOWING
Lakers (29-37) : trip to Phoenix, Sunday.
Wizards (29-36) : trip to the Blazers next night.
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