LeBron James scores 40 as Lakers top Thunder

LeBron James scores 40 as Lakers top Thunder

Published December 24,2023


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LeBron James had 40 factors, seven rebounds and 7 assists to guide the Los Angeles Lakers to a 129-120 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday in Oklahoma City.

The loss snapped the Thunder’s three-game successful streak.

His staff having misplaced 4 consecutive video games, and going through what Anthony Davis known as a “must-win” recreation, Lakers coach Darvin Ham tried to inject some life into his staff by shuffling the beginning lineup.

Ham began Jarred Vanderbilt and moved D’Angelo Russell to the bench.

Russell hadn’t come off the bench within the common season since late within the 2020-21 season.

Russell did come off the bench for the Lakers in Game 4 of final season’s Western Conference Finals loss to Denver.

Ham’s transfer paid off, because the Lakers scored 71 first-half factors to guide by 12 on the break.

Russell was significantly efficient within the second, scoring eight consecutive Lakers factors to begin a 13-3 Los Angeles run to begin the quarter and put the Lakers forward.

Russell scored 12 factors within the quarter, going 4 of 5 from the sector.

Russell was removed from the one Laker to get sizzling within the second, as Los Angeles shot 63.6 % from the ground within the quarter.

Having James, who missed Thursday’s loss at Minnesota because of ankle tendinitis, again within the lineup helped as properly.

The Lakers’ offensive manufacturing saved buzzing within the third, including 36 extra factors to guide by as a lot as 26.

James and Davis scored 10 every within the third.

The Thunder did not go away, although, as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 15 of Oklahoma City’s 32 third-quarter factors.

The Thunder lower the deficit to eight on Chet Holmgren’s layup with simply lower than six minutes left within the recreation to cap a 15-6 Oklahoma City run.

James scored 11 within the subsequent 3:30 to maintain the Thunder from getting any nearer.

Davis completed with 26 factors, 11 rebounds and 7 assists, whereas Rui Hachimura added 21 factors off the bench.

The Lakers completed 16 of 32 from past the arc.

Gilgeous-Alexander led Oklahoma City with 34 factors. Jalen Williams had 28 factors, whereas Holmgren added 19 factors and 10 rebounds.

Source: www.anews.com.tr