Lakers Pick ‘W’ against OKC before Christmas Day match up

It’s always a fantastic feeling, James said, “to know I can go out and still make game-winning plays, can affect the game in multiple ways, and can still close out a game in the fourth quarter when our team needed when they started making a run.”

For the Lakers, Anthony Davis scored 26 points, grabbed down 11 rebounds, and made seven assists.. This was a game that needed to be won, according to Davis. Rui Hachimura scored 21 points to lead Los Angeles, who had dropped their previous five games after winning the In-Season Tournament.11 points and 9 assists were added by Austin Reaves.

With a season-high 37 assists to just nine turnovers, the Lakers shot 52.2%.

“Everyone was passing the ball and making shots,” James remarked. “We made an effort to not turn the ball over and to stay on schedule and on aim. That held the secret to it.

Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 34 points. Chet Holmgren contributed 10 rebounds and 19 points, while Jalen Williams tallied 28 points. The Thunder had won five of six games and three in a row.

Hachimura scored 16 points in the first half to help Los Angeles lead 71-59 at the the halfway point. The Lakers shot 60% from the field in the opening two quarters.
Early in the third quarter, James made a 3-pointer to put the Los Angeles ahead 78-64 with the 7-foot-1 Holmgren in his face. The Thunder decided to call a timeout as a result. James then made another three-pointer before dishing it to Davis for an incredible two-handed dunk that put the Lakers up ninety-seven points and forced Oklahoma City to take another timeout.

Reaves put the Lakers ahead 98-75 with a 3-pointer, a foul, and a free throw with over four minutes left in the third quarter. It was 107-91 for Los Angeles entering the fourth quarter.

The Thunder narrowed their lead to just one point midway in the final quarter, but the Lakers managed to hold on. With 3:26 remaining, James’ corner three over a Gilgeous-Alexander closeout gave the Lakers a 123-110 lead.

In terms of fast break points, the Lakers outperformed the Thunder, scoring 16 compared to OKC’s 6. Lakers 3 point performance was also better than Thunders they shot 50% from 3 point line while OKC were 31.7 %. 

“They took on a team that was desperate to win,” Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault said.. “I don’t think we played poorly, carelessly, or softly—rather, we just didn’t play to the level that we needed to, particularly in the first half. We also gave them time to sort of settle into a rhythm. And I believed it to be the actual objective of the game. Thus, it’s a valuable lesson for us.

LeBron’s presence in the starting lineup for the offense, according to Darvin Ham, was “great.”

Moreover, he was happy with the Lakers’ general ball handling and mobility.

Darvin Ham claims that at the end of the third quarter, Anthony Davis, who participated in the whole second half, gave him a look and conveyed to him that he would not be leaving the game.

LeBron on snapping the quartet of defeats:

“This victory was necessary. We did not want to finish the road trip with a poor performance. It was a significant victory for us to come in here and defeat a club that has been playing incredibly well all season.”

Los Angeles Lakers will host Boston Celtics on Christmas night match up. Celtics are the leagues best team right now with best record 22-6.

Celtics are number one seed in Eastern Conference while Lakers are 9th seed in the west with 16-14 record https://x.com/NBA/status/1738800224422764658?s=20