Lakers beat Bucks in spectacular showdown.
MILWAUKEE— The Lakers continued their momentum with an upset win over the Bucks, beating Milwaukee 133–129 behind Anthony Davis’ season-high 44 points to improve their season record to 9–12.
“It was awesome to see everybody coming together and competing against that team [Bucks]," said head coach Darvin Ham. “The focus, the attention to detail, everybody being engaged. This just can’t be a one-game thing. This is something we have to do every time we step on the floor.”
The Lakers finished with 70 points in the paint, shooting 53% (52-for-97) from the floor and 42% (11-for-26) from behind the arc with just four total turnovers as a team, a season-low for Los Angeles.
In a showdown against one of the top MVP candidates of the season, Giannis Antetokoumpo, Anthony Davis fared well against the former MVP, holding his own by scoring a season-high 44 points on 67% (18-for-27) shooting from the floor.
“We bring the best out of each other. It’s a fun matchup,” said Davis on his matchup with Giannis.
Davis finished with his ninth consecutive double-double, notching 10 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 blocks in his 44-point night.
The MVP buzz for Davis should be starting after this dominating performance.
Lebron James appeared to have tweaked the same ankle he hurt in their matchup on Monday against the Pacers, falling to the floor in pain after Bucks guard Khris Middleton appeared to fall on it. James was able to finish the game out, but the question remains for him, what’s the status of his ankle moving forward?
LeBron added another accolade to his hall-of-fame career, passing Lakers legend Magic Johnson for sixth on the all-time assists list after an assist to Anthony Davis in the 4th quarter.
“It’s an honor for me to try to carry on his legacy while I play this game,” said LeBron on passing Magic Johnson, paying homage to the Laker legend.
LeBron finished second on the team with 28 points on 44% (12-for-27) shooting from the floor and knocking down 50% (3-for-6) of his shots from behind the arc, adding 11 assists, 8 rebounds, and 2 steals in 37 minutes.
Russell Westbrook made the play of the game with a minute left in the game, diving on the floor for a loose ball after Bucks Khris Middleton mishandled it, allowing LeBron to pick it up and dish it to Anthony Davis for the dunk.
In 28 minutes off the bench, Westbrook finished with 15 points, 11 assists, and 7 rebounds, shooting over 50% from the floor on 6-for-11 (54%) shooting overall.
The Lakers will continue their second of a six-game road trip this Sunday against the 11–12 Washington Wizards at 3:00 PM on Spectrum SportsNet.
