LeBron James I walked in the corridor outside the Lakers locker room on Thursday evening and wondered how he was going to be able to involve mentally within 48 minutes in front of him.
He and his teammates were tired, the team playing for the third time in four nights across the country and against the worst NBA team. It was not going to be easy to be concentrated, not against Washington Wizards with six victories.
It is the reality of the NBA, the grinding of the calendar and the bad opponents capable of forcing the teams in their worst habits.
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They would have to find a different emotion.
“I liked we played angry”, ” Lakers coach JJ Redick said.
With Anthony Davis Back in Los Angeles starting treatment on a tense abdominal muscle, James assured the Lakers would not take the night of leave. James collected 24 points and 11 assists in just 27 minutes, the Lakers easily beat Wizards 134-96 To give Washington its 16th consecutive loss.
“He was great. He was aggressive. He spoke. Just his desire to trust his teammates and create for others and create for himself, “said Redick. “And do not neglect the fact, by the way, that he is 40 years old in 22nd year with each distinction under the sun and that he goes out on a Thursday evening which is a unavied match against a team that really has difficulty And he’s the seal of tone. It is still a competitive endurance. It’s impressive.
The Lakers (27-19) led by 42 points that the Wizards (6-41) drew 31.9% from the field. Even without davis, Gabe Vincent and Dorian Finney-SmithThe Lakers scored a top of 78 points in the first half. Seven Lakers were two -digit, with Rui Hachimura Marking 22 and Shake Milton, adding 21 in his best match as a laker. With reserves playing the whole fourth quarter, Bonny James obtained a huge roar when he scored his second goal on the field of the season while being at fault. Hachimura celebrated the bucket by wrapping LeBron in a headache on the bench.
Hachimura said that he and the Lakers saw how LeBron cares about his son and the way he encouraged him when he obtained a limited playing time.
“I knew he wanted that so much. So I knew that, as soon as he marked him, he tried, I think, maintaining him a little, “said Hachimura about LeBron’s reaction. “That’s why I said to myself:” Come on, my brother … “But yes, he’s my big brother. So of course, I was happy. It was a great moment.”
The game, however, was quickly secondary to good news on Davis, Redick saying that the injury was not considered serious. Before the match, Davis was selected by the coaches of the Western conference as a NBA ALL-STAR for the 10th time. Redick said Lakers Hope Davis will return next week. Jaxson Hayes, from his place, scored 10 points and seized 10 rebounds.
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Finney-Smith, who was dealing with a bruise in the shoulder, said that he hoped to play on Saturday night when the Lakers would play the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Redick said Vincent could also be back after missing three games.
“I think our guys will be ready to leave on Saturday evening against the Knicks in the garden,” said Redick. “I hope to do” is available. I hope Gabe is available, but if not, the next man and continues to play in the right way, which we did tonight. »»
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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
