On October 27th at 10:30 am Beijing time, the NBA regular season saw a match between the Lakers and the Kings. Prior to this game, the Lakers had just won their first two games of the season, while the Kings had yet to secure their first victory after losing to the Timberwolves. This match was particularly interesting as Davis faced his nemesis Sabonis once again.
The game started with the Lakers taking the lead by aggressively attacking the paint, resulting in a dream start with a 16-8 lead. However, the Lakers' shooting cooled down, allowing the Kings to catch up with a combination of inside and outside scoring. Monk and Murray's consecutive baskets helped reduce the gap to just 2 points, and the first quarter ended with the Lakers leading 28-26.
In the second quarter, the Lakers regained their touch with a 12-0 scoring run, giving them a double-digit lead. The Kings fought back with a 10-0 run, but the Lakers managed to stabilize the situation. At halftime, the Lakers led the Kings by 4 points with a score of 64-60.
The third quarter saw a change in momentum as the Lakers struggled on both offense and defense. Their poor shooting from beyond the arc (1 out of 10) and weak defense made it difficult for them to maintain their lead. On the other hand, the Kings had multiple players contributing, and Fox's two consecutive three-pointers at the end of the third quarter helped the Kings take a 94-87 lead over the Lakers.
In the final quarter, it was the Kings' turn to struggle offensively. Led by James, the Lakers unleashed a stunning 21-0 scoring spree, overtaking the Kings and establishing a double-digit lead. The Kings eventually woke up and closed the gap with a mix of inside and outside scoring. In a crucial moment, Davis stepped up, hitting a key three-pointer and making one of two free throws to extend the lead to 4 points, effectively sealing the game. The Lakers ultimately defeated the Kings 131-127, securing their third consecutive victory. This win also marked Davis' first victory against Sabonis, ending his previous 0-10 record against him.
The Lakers' ability to bounce back and defeat their opponents in adversity was largely due to James' outstanding performance. In the fourth quarter alone, he scored 16 points, grabbed 5 rebounds, and dished out 6 assists, completely overwhelming the opposition.
This victory was a double celebration for the Lakers. Not only did it help Davis end his embarrassing record against Sabonis, but it also signified the team's transformation this season. They have successfully capitalized on their first three home games, giving them a favorable position in the competitive Western Conference and reducing external doubts about their abilities.
Besides James' heroic performance in the fourth quarter, several other players also shone during the game. Here are the detailed statistics of the Lakers' players who participated in the match:
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James
Played 33 minutes, shooting 12 out of 22, including 4 out of 9 from three-point range and 4 out of 4 from the free-throw line, scoring 32 points, grabbing 14 rebounds, dishing out 10 assists, and blocking 1 shot, with a plus-minus of +13. It's hard to believe he's in his forties when some players not even 30 can't match his performance.
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Davis
Played 37 minutes, shooting 10 out of 15, including 1 out of 2 from three-point range and 10 out of 13 from the free-throw line, scoring 31 points, grabbing 9 rebounds, dishing out 2 assists, stealing 3 times, and blocking 2 shots, with a plus-minus of -22. Following James has been the best decision of Davis' career.
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Hachimura
Played 37 minutes, shooting 5 out of 13, including 2 out of 2 from three-point range and 6 out of 6 from the free-throw line, scoring 18 points, grabbing 9 rebounds, and dishing out 3 assists, with a plus-minus of +17. His improved performance proves that he is capable of much more.
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Reeves
Played 33 minutes, shooting 7 out of 12, including 2 out of 4 from three-point range, scoring 16 points, grabbing 7 rebounds, dishing out 6 assists, and committing 6 turnovers, with a plus-minus of -20. Today, there's nothing negative to say about his performance, especially with no free-throw attempts.
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Russell
Played 32 minutes, shooting 6 out of 11, including 3 out of 6 from three-point range and 1 out of 1 from the free-throw line, scoring 16 points, grabbing 4 rebounds, dishing out 5 assists, and stealing 2 times, with a plus-minus of +17. Regardless of who he summoned today, let's hope they stay put.
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Knut
Played 20 minutes, shooting 4 out of 7, including 2 out of 5 from three-point range, scoring 10 points and dishing out 1 assist, with a plus-minus of +16. If we could redo the draft, the Lakers might not have gotten you.
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Hayes
Played 14 minutes, shooting 2 out of 2, scoring 4 points, grabbing 2 rebounds, and dishing out 1 assist, with a plus-minus of +24. Your passion is stronger than Westbrook's, and it's more effective in energizing your teammates.
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Vincent
Played 12 minutes, shooting 1 out of 6, including 0 out of 4 from three-point range, scoring 2 points and stealing 1 time, with a plus-minus of -5. Don't rush home after work; practice your three-point shooting instead. You've wasted too many beautiful passes.
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Christie
Played 17 minutes, shooting 1 out of 4, including 0 out of 2 from three-point range, scoring 2 points, dishing out 4 assists, stealing 2 times, and committing 2 turnovers, with a plus-minus of -20. You can be mediocre, but don't be foolish. You know you can't dribble, yet you still try to go solo.
Following their three consecutive home victories, the Lakers will embark on a five-game road trip against the Suns, Cavaliers, Raptors, Pistons, and Grizzlies. Their impressive home-court performance has already surprised many. Can they maintain this level of play on the road and silence their critics?
