Lebron shines as Lakers outlast Warriors

Photo from: CBS Los Angeles

The Los Angeles Lakers (28-35) are currently having a rough stretch of games, but the win on March 5 against Golden State Warriors (43-21) and Lebron James’ performance show a sign of change for the Lakers this season.

Lakers defeated the Warriors 124-116 with James’ season-high 56 points with three-straight 3-pointers despite shooting 19-of-31. James wasn’t considered a “pure” shooter or scorer with shooting but show flashes of the ability to score in the paint or behind the arc.

James’ 3-pointers were an integral aspect of how the Lakers overcame the Warriors. Each 3-pointer chips away at the Warrior

The first 3-pointer diminish the lead to three points, the second 3-pointer tie the game to 97-97, and the third 3-pointer put the Lakers in the lead 100-97.

Stephen Curry had 30 points and Jordan Poole had 23 points, but the Warriors were not able to defensively stop the Lakers. They had a 42-point lead (the Warriors’ biggest lead) in the second quarter until the Warriors had trouble separating themselves from the Lakers and lose the game in the second half. The dagger from Carmelo Anthony’s corner 3-pointer and an alley-oop by Malik Monk to James was also the plays that ended the game for the Warriors.

Along with James’ performance, other Laker players were in double-digits like Westbrook (20), Anthony (14), Monk (12), and Austin Reaves (10). The performances by the other Lakers players were something that hampered the team’s success, but show success tonight along with James’ historical night.

With James scoring 56 points, he won the most points as a Laker and tallies 13 50-point games as the second most among active players (seventh all-time). Also, James is on the list of players (Michael Joran, Kobe Bryant, and Jamal Crawford) at the age of 37 in scoring 50-plus points.

The game was important for the Lakers to win with coming off a four-game winning streak by either getting blown out, giving up leads or losing close games. Lakers’ losing streak has been well documented by questionable coaching or underwhelming performances from Russell Westbrook and other Lakers players.

After this win, the Lakers are facing the San Antonio Spurs tonight without James due to problems with his knee. Let’s see if the Lakers can win without James as the season continues.