The Los Angeles Lakers hosted the Houston Rockets on Sunday night looking for vengeance for the Rockets’ win over the Lake Show two weeks ago. LeBron James and Co. were able to do just that, beating the Rockets in a 105-104 nailbiter.
Every Rockets-Lakers game is going to be a must-watch TV for both fanbases. Not only are the games themselves entertaining with all of the talent on the floor but there is a personal vendetta in these matchups that gets better with every watch.
Dillon Brooks has somehow made himself LeBron James’ biggest rival, taking a page out of Lance Stephenson’s playbook from his Indiana Pacers days. Just like when Brooks first started the rivalry in May with the Memphis Grizzlies, LeBron made sure to put him in his place and send Brooks home on the losing end.
https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1726468953520881734
LeBron James silences Dillon Brooks in Lakers’ win over Rockets
Dillon Brooks had himself a decent game statistically and did hit some big shots late in the fourth quarter to keep the Rockets in the game. But when the dust ultimately settled, he once again was the butt of the joke in a Lakers win.
LeBron has taken this rivalry seriously with Brooks and he was clowning the role player throughout the game. LeBron took every single chance he got to taunt Brooks after a basket, breaking out the tried and true “too small” celebration, as well as a celebration depicting him doing Snoop Dogg’s (old) favorite activity.
It was a vintage performance for LeBron, who once again put the Lake Show on his back in his 21st season in the league. The NBA’s all-time leading scorer finished with 37 points, eight assists and six rebounds in the contest. For anyone else in the league that is a career day. For LeBron, it was just another Saturday.
Just like a mosquito that won’t go away, this game probably won’t deter Brooks from going right at LeBron in the future. But at this point, Lakers fans should just embrace it, as it obviously is having a positive impact on how LeBron plays in these games.
LeBron and Brooks will go at it again on December 2 when the Lakers host the Rockets on a Saturday night. The last matchup between the two teams takes place on January 29.