Home Basketball Lakers defeat Blazers in an in-season tournament as LeBron James’ dominance astounds NBA fans

Lakers defeat Blazers in an in-season tournament as LeBron James’ dominance astounds NBA fans

Basketball — 11/19/2023

LeBron James, who will turn 39 in six weeks, scored 35 points in his second straight game on Friday to help the Los Angeles Lakers defeat the Portland Trail Blazers 107-95 in the NBA mid-season tournament.

PORTLAND, OREGON - NOVEMBER 17: Flames illuminate LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers before the game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center on November 17, 2023 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

In 35 minutes, James finished with 13 of 22 field goals, 9 assists, 5 rebounds, and 2 steals. Two days prior, he had recorded a triple-double against the Memphis Grizzlies.

In order to relieve some of the load on James at this point in his career, it was believed going into this season that the Lakers had done a decent job of adding depth to their squad.

James was practically a one-man show in the fourth quarter to keep Los Angeles ahead after the Blazers closed the third quarter with a seven-point lead.

At this point in his career, there are no new superlatives to describe what he’s accomplishing, but it doesn’t make critics and admirers any less impressed.

Even though there have only been 13 games, it appears LeBron James will be expected to lead the Lakers to success once more. With 14 rebounds, 3 thefts, 6 turnovers, and 16 points on 8 of 19 shots, Anthony Davis had another uneven performance.

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With just eighteen minutes of bench time, Austin Reaves scored just seven points on one of four shots.

Looking at what James is accomplishing and remembering when head coach Darvin Ham indicated the team was going to limit his minutes in an effort to keep him healthy during the season’s opening loss to the Denver Nuggets makes for an amusing juxtaposition.

In 11 games since then, James has averaged 34.4 minutes per game. In those games, he’s scoring 25.9 points on 56.8 percent shooting (40.6 percent from three), pulling down 8.4 rebounds and dishing out 6.5 assists.

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With a 7-6 overall record and three wins in a row in group play of the in-season competition, the Lakers are back over.500. Tuesday at Crypto.com Arena will be their last Group A matchup, going up 2-1 against the Utah Jazz.

That match’s victor advances to the quarterfinals. The Lakers will host the Houston Rockets on Sunday at 9:30 p.m. ET before playing the Jazz.