PHILADELPHIA — When the Lakers heard that LeBron James woke up with knee pain on Thursday, Anthony Davis told coach Frank Vogel that the Lakers would start in whatever position he needed to play.
When Vogel put him in the center opposite current MVP favorite Joel Embiid, Davis played better than his word—a 31-point, 12-rebound, four-blocked shot at the stat line that, in many ways, was better than his 76ers counterpart. Was. ,
But when Davis, in his second game from a month-long injury, fought well enough in the fight, the Lakers could not win the war in a decidedly one-sided 105–87 defeat to Philadelphia, continuing their up and down, average. Season long struggles with Tailor.
There just wasn’t much support for Davis, who played one of his best all-round games of the season against a center who has often been compared to him. While Russell Westbrook scored 20 points, he had six turnovers against just three assists, and the Lakers (14 for 21) outside Davis scored an icy 22 for 67 from the ground.
Of course James – who scored 25 points or more in 18 consecutive games – was sorely missed not only as a scorer but as an organizing force. The Lakers had just 19 assists against 17 turnovers, which were running chaotic plans against the Sixers defense.
Beyond Davis and Westbrook, the Lakers’ next leading scorer was Malik Monk, who had 11 points on 3-for-13 shooting. The Lakers made only 6 runs for 29 wickets from 3-point range.
Embiid finished with 26 points, nine rebounds and seven assists, but he got a big game from wingman Tobias Harris (23 points) – missing his third star in Philadelphia’s Ben Simmons after requesting a trade. Has been out all season.
There is much more to come on this story.
