Coming off a season-high 40 factors, LeBron James was anticipated to show up massive for the LA Lakers Christmas Day showdown in opposition to the Boston Celtics at residence. Nonetheless, it wasn’t meant to be the four-time NBA MVP’s night time. LeBron has uncommon occurrences the place he is underwhelmed on massive nights, and Monday was a type of moments.
The LA Lakers star produced 16 factors on solely 5-of-16 capturing in a 126-115 loss to the Celtics. LeBron missed a number of simple layups that he by no means misses and in addition recorded three turnovers. He did not look as engaged from the get-go. The LA Lakers even staged an unbelievable comeback after happening by 17 factors within the first quarter. LA took a 66-64 lead early within the third however could not maintain it.
A extra environment friendly outing from LeBron James may’ve proved decisive as the sport was shut till early within the fourth quarter. The Celtics dominated the competition down the stretch, just like how they began the sport.
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The LA Lakers trustworthy did not cease themselves from expressing their frustration with LeBron’s off night time. One fan wrote:
“LIKE WTF IS LEBRON DOING U SOLD THE F**KIN GAME”
Extra reactions adopted:
LeBron James and LA Lakers are but to interrupt out 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 have been performed after their NBA Cup win on Dec. 9. The workforce was on a four-game-skid, too. They snapped that in opposition to the OKC Thunder of their final outing.
The LA Lakers appeared like that they had rediscovered their mojo, however the loss in opposition to the Celtics noticed them commit the identical errors that they had amid their shedding streak earlier than the OKC sport. Darvin Ham’s rotations have been questionable within 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 almost each possession. Ham saved the gamers in good rhythm on restricted minutes. D’Angelo Russell scored eight factors on 4-of-6 photographs however performed solely 17 minutes.
Christian Wooden collected one other DNP (didn’t play). The LA Lakers may’ve used his scoring, measurement and spacing in opposition to a much bigger and higher capturing workforce like Boston.
Anthony Davis remained the lone shiny 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% capturing. “AD” saved the LA Lakers within the sport, but it surely wasn’t sufficient, as LeBron James and others didn’t get going.