For 36 minutes, LeBron James and the Lakers were dominated by the Clippers who were deprived of Paul George and Ivica Zubac. The start of the match was quite flat and it took a few moments before the two teams increased pressure. It was the “King” on one side and Kawhi Leonard on the other, in a first quarter without much relief (30-29).
In the second, James Harden wakes up. Often cut off from the game from the throw-in since the start of the match, the bearded man scores the baskets and scores 16 points in this quarter. Certainly, LeBron James responds, but faced with the 2018 MVP and the activity of Terance Mann, the Lakers give up. Especially since they are clumsy at 3-points and only shot two free throws – a sensitive subject – at halftime (66-52).
Returning from the locker room, things are better for Darvin Ham's men. They move up a notch in defense, steal balls and Rui Hachimura and Austin Reaves take advantage in transition. They go 8-0, which does not last because Kawhi Leonard hits twice from behind the arc and the Clippers react with a 10-1. Norman Powell even found the target at 3-point at the buzzer of the third quarter and we said to ourselves that the match was over or almost over (96-77).
That's when LeBron James comes back into play and changes everything. He makes three winning baskets in a few moments and the Lakers go 13-1 which reverses the dynamic.
Tyronn Lue's troops are unable to contain their opponent. Rui Hachimura and D'Angelo Russell were perfect for taking advantage of the spaces caused by the Lakers superstar, and the “Purple & Gold” ended up winning 112-116, in a stunning derby.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– And LeBron James woke up. The Lakers seemed headed for a defeat but the four-time MVP changed everything. His award-winning baskets gave his team momentum. Then he found himself in a role he loves, that of organizer, dissecting the defense and finding open players. He finished with 5 3-point baskets and 19 points in this last quarter. With 34 points at 7/12 at 3-pts, 8 assists and 6 rebounds, “LBJ” had another great game.
– The Clippers gave up. That the Lakers reacted and shook up Kawhi Leonard and his gang in the last act was predictable even if it was not the most likely scenario. On the other hand, wasting a 21-point lead (98-77 at 11:45 from the end of the match) is already more problematic. The second Los Angeles team took a blow to the head with LeBron James' baskets, without ever being able to regain their senses afterwards. The “King” exploded control in the first 36 minutes, and the basketball played became messy, before becoming a loser.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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.
