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Los Angeles Lakers: LeBron James is key vs Cavaliers

By Kevin Germany

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 13: Kevin Love #0 of the Cleveland Cavaliers hugs LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers after a game at Staples Center on January 13, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 13: Kevin Love #0 of the Cleveland Cavaliers hugs LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers after a game at Staples Center on January 13, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
(Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

Explaining Collin Sexton’s rise to stardom:

Collin Sexton is averaging nearly 27 points per game. What makes this total especially impressive is that Cleveland plays the third slowest pace in the NBA. Sexton is miscast as a high-volume gunner but is actually very efficient in how he gets his buckets.

Although Sexton prefers to attack the basket, he is shooting 46.8% from three-point range on nearly five attempts per game. This mark is probably unsustainable, as ball-dominant guards rarely shoot above 40% from three, but Lakers guard Dennis Schröder will have his hands full against the former Alabama star.

https://twitter.com/cavs/status/1352783282778333185

So full, that Schröder will need help guarding Sexton. LeBron James will have to play his signature brand of help defense to stop Sexton from attacking the basket.

Why LeBron James is also key vs Cleveland’s Collin Sexton on defense:

Collin Sexton must be kept out of the paint at all costs. Nobody else on the Lakers is as qualified as LeBron James to patrol the paint against Cleveland: Kevin Love will force Anthony Davis away from the basket; Marc Gasol and Montrezl Harrell will need to focus on keeping Cleveland center Andre Drummond away from the offensive glass.

Cleveland Cavaliers fans know just how prolific LeBron is as a shot-blocker. His block on Golden State Warriors star Andre Igoudala in the 2016 NBA Finals was the most iconic moment in Cleveland sporting history. Some of them will get to his LeBron’s shot-blocking prowess on full display, as around 2,000 fans are now allowed at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse.

LeBron can afford to show off his shot-blocking skills because his man, the aforementioned Okoro, has only taken 29 three-pointers in his NBA career at a 30% rate. If the scouting report holds up, LeBron James will get to hover around the defense as a free safety.

Next. Why the Lakers will get even better in 2021. dark

Conclusion:

LeBron James on defense is going to be a problem for Collin Sexton. LeBron on both ends is going to be an even bigger problem for the Cleveland Cavaliers. If LeBron and the Los Angeles Lakers can lock in for 48 minutes, they will still be undefeated on the road when they fly out of Cleveland.

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