To prevent getting swept twice in a row in the playoffs by the Denver Nuggets, the Los Angeles Lakers had to pull something out of the bag today. Thankfully, the team in the purple and gold went to town to deliver that win. Among them, Anthony Davis stood tall as he delivered a masterclass of a performance to save them from an embarrassment.
By the end of the game, there was one stat that showed what Anthony Davis had done tonight. He grabbed 23 of the 46 total rebounds the Lakers had tonight. Compare that to the 40 total rebounds the Denver Nuggets had tonight. It shows that he won the battle in the paint. His team lost 11 games in a row against the defending champions due to a lack of paint production.
His 25 points in the paint ensured that his contributions helped to keep the Lakers in the lead throughout the game. He also dished out 6 assists to help his teammates run up the score. All in all, a complete performance from the 6′ 10″ big man.
Unlike the past 3 games, Davis produced his elite game in all 4 quarters. Ensuring the win helps the Los Angeles Lakers extend their season by at least 1 more game. He and his teammates can take a sigh of relief and focus on game 5 on Monday.
Anthony Davis had LeBron James leading the scoring charge
In the past 3 games, LeBron James was averaging 26.3 points per game. Today, he went for a few more and ended up with a team-leading 30 points. Crucially, he scored 14 of those points in the 4th quarter. Having such numbers ensured that even though the Nuggets tried to chip away at the lead, the Lakers could prevail.
The all-time leading scorer was criticized after missing a wide-open three in game 2. That shot could have changed the complexion of the series. Instead, with the Los Angeles Lakers on the brink of elimination, James ensured that he went for shots that have been a part of his staple.
Today’s performance suggested that the Lakers could take the fight down to the wire. If so, this game will be seen as the turning point in the contest between the two heavyweights.
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