What a slap! For their last exit of the year 2021, the Lakers have indeed not made in the lace to the now Crypto.com Arena.
Guided by a huge LeBron James (43 points, 14 rebounds, 4 assists) and a super Russell Westbrook (15 points, 13 rebounds, 12 assists), the Californian players have exploded worrying Blazers (139-106). Without ever chasing the score of the evening, on the occasion of this part which marked the return to the bench of Frank Vogel.
And, even if this victory does not allow Los Angeles to regain a balanced record, it will at least have had the merit of confirming the slight improvement observed in the game. angeleno for three games now. In addition to pushing Damian Lillard’s Portland (18 points, 4 rebounds and 7 assists, but at 5/15 on shots and 1/8 at 3-points …), who tilts there for the fourth time in a row .
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– LeBron James, LeBron James, LeBron James… Superlatives are starting to lack to define the level of play currently offered by the “King”. Once again used as a pivot by his coach, the now 37-year-old arguably had his best game of the season, setting his points and rebound records in just 29 minutes. Unstoppable in the racket, and constantly left alone (or almost) at 3-pointers, “LBJ” therefore rolled over Portland from start to finish. Pointing to 15 points after twelve minutes, 27 at half-time and 43 at the end, therefore. For his 7th game in a row at 30+ points! Just royal …
– Los Angeles on display, Portland in decay. There was no match tonight between the two teams. Quickly leading by ten points, the Lakers then never let go of their (large) lead, to finally win by 33 points, scoring 139 points in total (their season record), with 19 successes. at 3-point and 27 assists for 7 losses. A collective domination, magnified by LeBron James, to which the Blazers could not respond, terribly clumsy and who have long existed with their offensive rebounds or the heat stroke of Ben McLemore.
TOPS / FLOPS
✅ Russell westbrook. Author of his 4th triple-double in a row (Magic Johnson’s franchise record in 1987 equaled), the All-Star point guard played just from start to finish. Without forcing any shoot (5/10), or almost, the MVP 2017 was thus content to play his teammates and help secure the defensive rebound. Always awkward at 3-points (0/3) and still somewhat expensive (4 losses of ball), the “Brodie” however made a superb performance. Without doubt one of his cleanest of the season, against his “best enemy” Damian Lillard.
✅ Malik Monk and Carmelo Anthony. 18 points for Monk, 16 points for Anthony. As against the Rockets, the two Californian wisps played the luxury lieutenants of LeBron James in attack, without having to force their talent. At 3 points, halfway or near the circle, they did not fail to make the Blazers pay for their many defensive mistakes. Because, when so many spaces are left to such attackers, the bill quickly becomes steep and the punishment is often severe …
✅ Ben McLemore and Larry Nance Jr. Difficult to retain one or more elements from the Blazers side, but we still had to underline the fighting spirit of the McLemore / Nance Jr. pair. The only players in the franchise to really fight and stand out tonight. In the first quarter, Ben McLemore distinguished himself with 16 of his 28 points scored over the period, to keep Portland alive. As for Larry Nance Jr, certainly martyred by LeBron James, he struggled under the panels (13 points and 9 rebounds, including 4 offensives), to allow his people to breathe a little bit in the first half.
⛔ The “defense” of Portland. 43, 26, 32 then 38. That is to say the number of points collected, quarter-time by quarter, by the Blazers last night. An obviously unworthy performance for a team that hopes to play in the playoffs at the end of the season. But how could it be otherwise, given the defensive efforts proposed from start to finish by Portland? Constantly behind on defensive rotations, and sanctioned almost every time, Damian Lillard’s teammates have sunk in this area of play, leaving the Lakers to shoot 55% on shots and 46% at 3-points. A real pantyhose.
THE FOLLOWING
Los Angeles (18-19) : reception from Minnesota, on the night of Sunday to Monday (3:30 a.m.), for their first outing of 2022.
Portland (13-22) : Atlanta reception, Monday to Tuesday night (4:00 a.m.), for their first outing of 2022.
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