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Lakers star Anthony Davis (3) gestures after making a three-pointer in the first half of a 116-110 win over the Memphis Grizzlies at Crypto.com Arena on Sunday. Davis finished with 40 points and 16 rebounds. (Jessie Alcheh / Associated Press)
The Lakers were, again, the Lakers — the version from early this season that made optimism seem nothing like foolishness.
For two-and-a-half quarters Sunday night against Memphis, they completely shed the baggage of the past two weeks. The long road miles, the stagnant offense, the physical bruises from losses to bigger, tougher teams all gone.
LeBron James was back, looking like the version of himself that starred this summer in the Olympics. The passes zipped, his feet moved and his control was unquestioned.
This was the team JJ Redick had in the first weeks of the season and the team the Lakers had been desperately trying to recapture in a brutal stretch since.
And then Zach Edey chopped down and pulled on Anthony Davis’ left shoulder, and everything felt like it could change.
Read more: Plaschke: Sinking Lakers franchise must throw LeBron James and Anthony Davis overboard
Davis went to the locker room, the Lakers’ offense stalled, their defense wasn’t as ferocious and their 20-point lead was more than cut in half.
An easy night suddenly got tough.
But instead of folding in the face of pressure like they have so many times over the previous 10 games, the Lakers showed toughness. Davis returned in the fourth quarter. Austin Reaves, bloody from an elbow to the mouth, still fought. Max Christie still defended. James still raced around the court.
The Lakers beat Memphis 116-110 in a game the Grizzlies never led. They set the tone physically, they executed offensively, and Davis dominated, tying season highs with 40 points and 16 rebounds.
James, in his first game back after missing the last two, had 18 points, eight rebounds and eight assists. Reaves had 19 points and eight assists.
Lakers star LeBron James dunks during the first half against Memphis on Sunday night. (Jessie Alcheh / Associated Press)
Jaren Jackson Jr. led Memphis with 25 points before fouling out. Ja Morant…
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Author : LA Times
Publish date : 2024-12-16 05:23:00
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