Anthony Davis willed the LA Lakers to a 112-103 win over the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday. Davis continued his monster run, bagging 30 factors, 22 rebounds, and two blocks, main LA to a different win with out the injured LeBron James.
The Lakers moved as much as ninth within the Western Convention with a 32-24 file. They entered the sport tied for the ninth spot, however the Utah Jazz’ 120-116 loss in opposition to the Mavericks leaves the Lakers as the only house owners of that individual seeding.
Anthony Davis has saved LA within the sport for the reason that starting. He tallied 13 factors and 9 rebounds within the first quarter alone. Lakers head coach Darvin Ham could not assist however reward his star heart with a brand new nickname. This is what he informed Lakers’ beat reporter Mike Trudell (through Clutch Factors’ Michael Corvo):
“Full-blown Wilt Davis. He is enjoying like a monster.”
Anthony Davis has put up Wilt Chamberlain-like numbers, particularly when LeBron James has been on the sidelines. Over his final 5 video games, Davis has bagged 33.0 factors, 13.8 rebounds and a pair of.8 blocks, capturing on 56/33/76 splits. James hasn’t performed within the final 4 video games. AD has impacted each ends of the ground, making his performances extra spectacular.
Anthony Davis and LA Lakers’ resurgence places the Western Convention on discover
The LA Lakers entered the yr because the underdogs. They struggled for a lot of the season and had been counted out by many. Some critics even refused to present the Lakers an opportunity to make it to the play-in match following their 2-10 begin to the season.
Nonetheless, Rob Pelinka flipped the roster round for good on the commerce deadline, addressing the crew’s essential wants like capturing, measurement, and defensive depth.The Lakers are 7-3 for the reason that deadline. James performed solely thrice throughout that stretch, whereas D’Angelo Russell performed 4 instances.
LA is now solely two video games behind the fifth and sixth seeds and a sport behind the seventh and eighth seeds whereas proudly owning the ninth seed alone with a 32-34 file. They’re just one win away from matching their win tally from final season (33-49).
Anthony Davis, enjoying the very best basketball of his profession, is barely anticipated to push the Lakers to new heights. Opposing groups have not had a solution to his exploits on both finish, giving the Lakers a dynamic edge even within the absence of gamers like LeBron James and D’Angelo Russell.
Regardless of being shorthanded, the LA Lakers storming again into rivalry on the again of Davis is a priority for groups within the Western Convention. That offers James prolonged time to get well from a foot tendon damage. If the four-time MVP comes again near 100%, the playoff-picture within the West may favor the Lakers to at the least make the convention finals.