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Lakers vs Pistons: In the second half of Tuesday night’s game, Austin Reaves attempted a behind-the-back pass to LeBron James. The Lakers had been dominating the game in the first half, displaying a Harlem Globetrotter-like offensive rhythm. Their ball movement was exceptional, resembling that of a top-10 offense. However, during the third quarter, the Lakers became a bit careless, resulting in a turnover that led to a three-on-one fast break for the Detroit Pistons.
Typically, this situation would spell trouble for the Lakers. But with Anthony Davis as the lone defender, the dynamics changed.
“We were putting him to the test,” James said with a straight face. “We turned the ball over, and no one bothered to get back on defense. It turned into a 3-on-1 situation, and we wanted to see if he truly deserved the title of Defensive Player of the Year. And he proved it. He showed us why he’s deserving of that recognition.”
Davis effortlessly blocked Jaden Ivey’s layup near the basket, resulting in a foul being called against Davis. Subsequently, on the subsequent offensive play, D’Angelo Russell successfully sank a three-pointer. This particular sequence exemplifies the consistent impact Davis has had throughout the entire season.
In the Lakers’ last home game prior to the All-Star break, Davis showcased his dominance in every aspect of the game, excelling in shooting, scoring, passing, and defending. His exceptional performance contributed to his team’s victory over the struggling Pistons with a final score of 125-111.
“Ever since I joined this team, Davis has been our pillar of strength. He has consistently displayed his remarkable skills, both during his college days and in the professional league. Tonight was no exception,” Darvin Ham expressed. “His relentless activity on the court, his ability to cover for his teammates even in challenging situations like three-on-one, his astute decision-making, and perfectly timed shot blocks are a testament to his basketball intelligence. He not only blocked the shot but also managed to keep it in play, ultimately regaining possession for our team. This is just a glimpse of who he truly is – someone who consistently makes such impactful plays.”
Davis had an impressive performance in the game, scoring 20 points, grabbing 14 rebounds, and dishing out four assists. He also showcased his defensive prowess by blocking six shots, all while sitting out the entire fourth quarter. This makes him only the third player this season and the fifth player ever to achieve such numbers in less than 30 minutes of play.
Tuesday’s game marked the seventh time this year that Davis recorded at least five blocked shots, highlighting his exceptional defensive skills.
Despite his reputation as one of the best all-around defenders in the game, Davis humbly downplayed the talk of him winning the Defensive Player of the Year award, which he has never won before. He expressed his focus on winning games and continuing to make an impact on the defensive end. However, if winning the award becomes a reality this year, Davis admitted it would be an exciting achievement for him.
The Lakers (28-25) secured their fifth victory in the last six games, with all five starters contributing at least 15 points. They established a commanding 24-point lead early in the second half and managed to hold off the Pistons for the remainder of the game. Prior to the All-Star break, the team is set to face Utah on Wednesday. Coach Ham emphasized the importance of delivering a strong performance in that game and expressed satisfaction with the team’s current position and positive trajectory.
Despite the team’s quietness during the trade deadline, Spencer Dinwiddie, who is considered the top player in the buyout market, made his debut with his hometown team. In a remarkable performance, he scored six points and provided seven assists in a bench-high 31 minutes, although he did have four turnovers.
According to James, Dinwiddie is still in the process of familiarizing himself with the team’s offensive and defensive strategies. However, his speed, ability to break down defenses, and exceptional passing skills were evident. James praised Dinwiddie’s capability to find open teammates, regardless of whether they were making shots or not. Playing both on and off the ball, Dinwiddie made a significant impact for the team.
The Lakers, as a collective unit, recorded an impressive 32 assists in the game. This marks the 12th occasion in their last 18 games where they have achieved 30 or more assists.
Davis expressed his enjoyment in playing with such a style of basketball.