If Anthony Davis signs a 3rd game in a row at 30 points or more, it is indeed LeBron James who steals the show in this victory against the Kings (131-127). At almost 40 years old, the best scorer in NBA history signs a huge triple-double at 32 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists, and above all we will remember this incredible passage at the start of the 4th quarter.
While De'Aaron Fox had given the Kings a seven-point lead at the end of the 3rd quarter, thanks to two award-winning baskets, LeBron James will take the match into his own hands. After a first arrow from Dalton Knecht, the “King” caught fire to score 16 points in three minutes! In its wake, the Lakers went 21-0 to take a 14-point lead. It was Fox who stopped the bleeding, but the Kings took a big blow behind their heads.
DeMar DeRozan keeps the suspense alive
Austin Reaves and Anthony Davis take over to maintain the gap (116-102), but five minutes from the end, DeMar DeRozan also pulls out all the stops. With 3-pointers, and we know that it's not is not his specialty, he brings the Kings back into the game, to the point of air conditioning the Staples Center with 100 seconds remaining.
Sacramento is only four points behind (125-121). Worse, Malik Monk steals a ball from Davis's hands and punishes to get back to two points (125-123). There are 55 seconds left.
The ball to LeBron who, after a screen from Davis, takes the entire defense to the right. Result, Davis finds himself all alone at 3-points. LeBron finds him, and despite the return of Domantas Sabonis, Davis gives some breathing room to the Lakers (128-123). This time, the Kings will not return, and the Lakers sign a third victory in three matches!
The stats of the evening
11 out of 11. This is the shooting record for LeBron James and Anthony Davis in the 4th quarter, with 4 out of 4 from 3-point range. Both find themselves with their eyes closed, whether it's an alley-oop or a 3-point ball. LeBron signs 6 of his 10 passes in the last quarter!
WHAT TO REMEMBER
– End of series. Before this night, Anthony Davis had never won a match against Domantas Sabonis! After ten failures, it's done, and his 3-pointer, on the Lithuanian's nose, is the symbol of this victory.
– LeBron in 3D. Incandescent at the start of the 4th quarter, LeBron James signs the 113th triple-double of his career. Fifth in the triple-double rankings, he remains far from Nikola Jokic (131) and Magic Johnson (138) who are ahead of him.
– The Redick effect. JJ Redick couldn't have dreamed of a better start as coach with three victories in three matches. You have to go back to 1971 to find any trace of such a start to the Lakers season, and it was Bill Sharman. That year, the Lakers won the title. Their first in Los Angeles.
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
