Coming off a season-high 40 factors, LeBron James was anticipated to flip up large for the LA Lakers Christmas Day showdown towards the Boston Celtics at dwelling. However, it wasn’t meant to be the four-time NBA MVP’s evening. LeBron has uncommon occurrences the place he is underwhelmed on large nights, and Monday was a kind of moments.
The LA Lakers star produced 16 factors on solely 5-of-16 shooting in a 126-115 loss to the Celtics. LeBron missed a number of simple layups that he by no means misses and likewise recorded three turnovers. He did not look as engaged from the get-go. The LA Lakers even staged an inconceivable comeback after taking place by 17 factors in the primary quarter. LA took a 66-64 lead early in the third however could not maintain it.
A extra environment friendly outing from LeBron James might’ve proved decisive as the sport was shut till early in the fourth quarter. The Celtics dominated the competition down the stretch, related to how they began the sport.
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The LA Lakers devoted did not cease themselves from expressing their frustration with LeBron’s off evening. One fan wrote:
“LIKE WTF IS LEBRON DOING U SOLD THE F**KIN GAME”
More reactions adopted:
LeBron James and LA Lakers are but to get away of their post-NBA Cup win stoop
LeBron James and the LA Lakers have misplaced six of their final eight video games. All of those had been performed after their NBA Cup win on Dec. 9. The crew was on a four-game-skid, too. They snapped that towards the OKC Thunder in their final outing.
The LA Lakers regarded like that they had rediscovered their mojo, however the loss towards the Celtics noticed them commit the identical errors that they had amid their dropping streak earlier than the OKC sport. Darvin Ham’s rotations had been questionable in the clutch.
The LA Lakers did not make frequent changes, typically sticking to their all-wing and Anthony Davis on the 5 lineup, which was offensively misfiring on practically each possession. Ham saved the gamers in good rhythm on restricted minutes. D’Angelo Russell scored eight factors on 4-of-6 pictures however performed solely 17 minutes.
Christian Wood collected one other DNP (didn’t play). The LA Lakers might’ve used his scoring, dimension and spacing towards an even bigger and higher shooting crew like Boston.
Anthony Davis remained the lone vivid spot for the Purple and Gold. He tallied a game-high 40 factors together with 13 rebounds, 4 assists and a block on 57.7% shooting. “AD” saved the LA Lakers in the sport, but it surely wasn’t sufficient, as LeBron James and others failed to get going.
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