The Lakers have won another game, defeating the Eastern powerhouse Hawks at home with a score of 119-102. Notably, LeBron James scored another 30 points today, bringing his career total to 563 games with 30+ points, surpassing Jordan to become the top scorer in history. The Lakers also have more good news as they have returned to fourth place in the West. After defeating the Hawks, their record stands at 20 wins and 14 losses. This is due to the Nuggets and Mavericks both losing their games today, allowing the Lakers to quickly climb up the ranks. The Lakers have had a rollercoaster season.
Initially, the Lakers' record was at the top four level in the West, matching the Warriors and Suns with a strong start. However, all three teams began to falter, with the Lakers even dropping out of the play-in tournament area at one point. Now, the Lakers have finally made a comeback, and it's clear that acquiring Smith has significantly increased the defensive depth on the wing. In his debut with the Lakers against the Cavaliers, Smith went 1 for 4, not yet adapting to the team, but his defense still impressed the Lakers.
Against the Trail Blazers, Smith had a 1 for 6 shooting rate, which had nothing to do with the opponent and was purely due to not yet adapting to the Lakers. Today, Smith found his rhythm, scoring 8 points and grabbing 5 rebounds in 23 minutes off the bench, going 3 for 5 from the field and 2 for 3 from beyond the arc. It can be said that Smith has made Lakers fans forget about Russell. Additionally, there's still Milton who hasn't fully erupted yet; once these two newcomers integrate, the Lakers could be quite formidable. The Hawks are an offensive powerhouse, yet they were held to just 102 points by the Lakers.
The Lakers' current starting lineup is both offensive and defensive, with Davis at the five, James at the four, and Hachimura at the three. Reeves and Christie can both attack and defend. Christie did a great job limiting Trae Young, and the Lakers' strong defense consistently stifled the Hawks. From the start, Davis put pressure on the Hawks' interior upon his return, followed by James driving hard and Hachimura and AD adding another 6 points, giving the Lakers a 3-point lead after the first quarter. In the second quarter, James led the team to take control, although the Hawks responded, Davis came back with a flurry of points, along with Christie and LeBron scoring 5 points, keeping the Lakers ahead by 8 points at halftime.
In the third quarter, Reeves continued his performance, and the Lakers extended their lead to as many as 13 points. Trae Young tried to close the gap with his aggressive play, but the Lakers always had an answer, maintaining a 10-point lead over the Hawks at the end of the third quarter. In the final quarter, Trae Young and James traded blows, with the Lakers managing the clock and possessions effectively, ultimately leaving the Hawks with no chance. For the Hawks, Trae Young scored 33 points and 9 assists, Capela had 8 points and 7 rebounds, Daniels scored 12 points, Johnson had 19 points, and No. 1 pick Lissach had 7 points.
On the Lakers side, James scored 30 points and 8 assists, while Davis, who had an average shooting night going 6 for 17, relied on free throws to score 18 points but grabbed 19 rebounds, with James and Davis combining for 48 points. Reeves remained comprehensive with 20 points, 6 assists, and 7 rebounds, Hachimura scored 13 points, and Christie, who scored 28 points in the previous game, went 3 for 4 today for 9 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists, not taking many shots. The current Lakers are increasingly moving towards the outcome that James expects, which is to quietly accumulate wealth and bet everything on playoff luck.
Analyzing the roster, the Lakers have a significant gap compared to the Thunder. However, the Lakers also have their own opportunities, specifically James' ability in the playoffs. Currently, it seems that James still has plenty left in the tank, and with James and Davis alternating rest periods, their energy levels have soared. With the addition of new players, according to NBA reporter Eric Pincus, the Lakers' acquisition of Smith is just the beginning. The Lakers are also interested in trading a first-round pick for Kessler from the Jazz, with Wood now being the bargaining chip. The 23-year-old Kessler averages 10.2 points, 10.9 rebounds, and 2.7 blocks per game this season. If he joins the Lakers, Davis will be freed up, and James can move to the three. To change the Western Conference landscape, the Lakers may need to make a trade.