LeBron James is doing everything to take down the Sixers

Luka Dončić and that’s why LeBron James returned to the Lakers after missing out classic against the Celtics. It is also the second city that shines at the end of the quarter, setting the pace and with a strong finish, which responded well to the Philadelphia team, with baskets by Tyrese Maxey and Paul George (30-30). The Lakers offense is struggling at times, as evidenced by the four minutes without a basket. We also have to wait until this second quarter to see Austin Reeves finally open his counter. It’s no surprise to see the Sixers ahead at halftime (60-53).

Ten points in a row for LeBron!

Returning from the locker room, Luka Doncic and LeBron James take care of everything, give or give a goal. The Californians are moving forward, having raised their defense to a level. Only Tyrese Maxey seemed capable of breaking down this fortified wall (84-87). In the final act, Joel Embiid joins the fun with two mid-range shots, but the “money time” belongs to James. He scored 10 straight points for the Lakers and, despite Maxey’s eventual game-winning basket to keep one last hope alive, Los Angeles cruised to victory, 108-112.

WHAT TO REMEMBER

– LeBron James has found his feet. His dunk in the first quarter was a (good) sign. Rested, with two days without a game, “LBJ” was in the rhythm of the game. For once this season, he didn’t look his age. Especially in the final quarter, where he put his team on his shoulders and scored 10 points in four minutes, all points by the Lakers. He even stole the last possession from the Sixers, to finish the road trip with 29 points on 12/17 shooting, including 4/6 3-pointers, 7 rebounds and 6 assists. His best game of the season and a true LeBron James performance.

– Joel Embiid is suffering from his shot. The reverse mirror of “LBJ’s” performance is that of the MVP in 2023. He tried a lot and failed or almost everything. His body language speaks volumes. At the start of the last quarter, he finally scores at mid-range and raises his hands in the process, when at the end, as James makes the difference, he ties the game at 105 all, still at mid-range and clenches his fists after the successful kick. Pivot was in pain, with a terrible shot on 4/21, missing the shots he usually takes on the car. He finished with 16 points and 7 rebounds.

– Excellent link between Deandre Ayton and Luka Doncic. The Lakers’ pivot (14 points, 12 rebounds) did not miss a shot in the game, with a perfect 7/7 shot, and on four occasions the Slovenian sent him into the air, and not always with obvious passes. A few offers were far, far from easy to catch, sometimes contested by the defense. But it happened.

https://vvv.youtube.com/vatch?v=4f5RtRk7thU

How to read statistics? Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / attempt 3 points; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive jump; T = Total number of jumps; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal mistakes; Int = intercepts; Bp = lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Difference of points when the player is on the field; Points = Points; Rating: player rating calculated based on positive actions – negative actions.