LeBron-less Lakers Squeak Out Thriller to Beat Bucks
The Los Angeles Lakers, without the services of LeBron James due to a lingering ankle injury, were able to defeat the Milwaukee Bucks 123-122 on Friday night. The Bucks led through the first quarter and into the second before the Lakers took the lead and maintained a small cushion until just three minutes to play. The game was within ten basically the entire game, and the final few minutes came down to the wire. Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell was able to put in a floater with just six seconds left, and Los Angeles native Spencer Dinwiddie, making his first start for the Lakers, blocked Damian Lillard’s shot attempt for the win to end the game.
D’Angelo Russell erupted for 44 points in this one, tying a career-high with nine three-pointers made. Russell scored 21 of the Lakers’ 27 fourth-quarter points, dropping eight in the final 1:13 of game time to secure the win. He also dropped nine assists and grabbed six rebounds. Anthony Davis recorded 22 points and 13 rebounds, while Austin Reaves chipped in 18 points, seven assists, and five rebounds. For the Bucks, Giannis Antetokounmpo put up a typical Giannis stat line with 34 points to go along with 14 rebounds and 12 assists for his career-high eighth triple-double of the season. Damian Lillard dropped 28 points and 12 assists of his own in the losing effort. Pat Connaughton had a season-high 17 points including a couple of timely threes in the fourth quarter.
The Lakers improved to 35-30 on the season and have now won 11 of their last 15 games but are still battling to get out of a play-in spot. They currently sit at the ninth seed and are three games behind the sixth-seeded Suns. They will need LeBron and the rest of the gang to be healthy for the stretch run if there is any hope of escaping the play-in. The Bucks drop to 41-23 and have now lost two straight after winning six consecutive post-All-Star break. Kris Middleton is expected to return in the next week, even as soon as Sunday against the Clippers. Having a third scoring option that is versatile and can score in unique ways will take some of the pressure off of Giannis and Dame offensively to carry the load.
