Los Angeles Lakers weekly recap: 12/09/19 to 12/15/19

Game Results

The Lakers defeated the Magic – 96 to 87 – for their first game of the week. LeBron James carried the offensive load and finished with a triple-double, leading the team in scoring and assists – 25 points and 10 assists.

Anthony Davis continued to assert his dominance defensively as he finished with two steals and two blocks along with 16 points. Davis was also active on the glass with a team-leading 12 rebounds. Although the dynamic duo filled the stat sheet, both players struggled from the field as Davis and James shot 30 and 45.8 percent respectively.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope game came up huge for the team as the “third guy” as he finished with 15 points, four 3-pointers, and a team-leading three steals.

Los Angeles followed up their first Florida win with another against Miami. The primetime matchup lived up to its hype as the Lakers extended their road win streak by handing the Heat their first home loss of the season.

AD came firing from the get-go and ended the first quarter with nine points, three rebounds, and two blocks. Davis continued to perform at his superstar-level for the remainder of the game and finished with 33 points, ten rebounds, and three blocks on 57.9 percent shooting.

Unlike Davis, LeBron struggled for the start of the game as he closed the first half with 11 points and seven turnovers while shooting 36.4 percent from the floor. Fortunately, James’s second-half performance was the complete opposite of his first.

King James scored 17 points along with nine assists on an efficient 63.6 percent. LeBron credited his second-half turnaround to his teammates’ criticism and reassurance. He also specified JaVale McGee’s third-quarter performance – three points, four rebounds, and four blocks – as a motivator for the team. McGee ended the evening with nine points, 10 rebounds and five blocks.

The team closed out their week with a win against the Hawks. Although the Lakers looked sluggish – posting their worst offensive rating for the season – the stars and vets pulled through.

LeBron James led the way with 32 points, 13 rebounds, and seven assists on 57.1 percent shooting from the floor. He was also active defensively with a game-leading three blocks. Anthony Davis also contributed with 27 points, 13 rebounds, and two blocks.

The difference-maker for this game – offensively and defensively – was the veterans. Rajon Rondo, KCP, and Danny Green all scored in double digits and accounted for at least one steal. McGee and Dwight Howard were also huge defensively as they combined for four blocks.