On January 20, Beijing time, the Lakers played against the Pacers. The Lakers continued to put on their normal starting lineup, with Howard and Ariza starting. The Lakers were 15 points ahead at one point and were in good shape, but they were overtaken in the third quarter. The Lakers defense collapsed in the last quarter, and finally the Lakers lost the game 104-111. James had 30 points, 12 boards and 5 assists, and nine points in the final quarter, which was not efficient. James still set a record in this game, reaching a career regular season rebounding milestone of 10,000. Westbrook had 14 points, 2 boards and 3 assists, shooting 5-of-17 from the field.
James came up to score, Westbrook also hit a three-point shot, and then James broke through 2+0, and the Lakers took the lead. After the opponent scored, James hit three points, Westbrook also had three points, and the Lakers' offense played well. The Pacers clung to the score, tucker came up and scored multiple points, taking a 10-point lead after hitting a three-pointer from the outside. Anthony and James also hit three-pointers from the outside, and while Duarte scored six straight points, the Lakers still led by nine points. James continued to break through the layup in the second quarter, Munch hit a three-pointer and the Lakers widened the point difference. Sabonis scored to stop the bleeding, James broke through to the layup, tucker and Westbrook were able to hit three-pointers. But then the Pacers chased points consecutively, James scored from the free throw, Bradley hit a three-pointer, the Pacers scored a pair of points, James took the back buckle, Brogdon finally scored, and the Lakers led by 6 points.
James's form is still very good, but it is not so easy for the Lakers to play flowers. James continued to hit three-pointers in the third quarter, Brogdon broke through to score, Sabonis hit a three-pointer, and Westbrook broke through to the layup. But the Pacers continued to score, with Duarte hitting a three-pointer and J-Holliday hitting a three-pointer to overtake by one point. Anthony hit a hit, Brogdon scored 2+1, Anthony scored consecutive points from the outside, Tucker also dunked, and then Reeves scored with ease on the basket to lead by six more points. The Pacers continued to chase points and played tenaciously, with the Lakers leading by four points to end the first three quarters.
It was interesting, with James scoring a free throw in the fourth quarter and then emptying again. However, Holliday hit a three-point shot, LeVert first 2+1, then Anthony technician, he scored four consecutive points. After Munch scored, LeVert also hit a three-point shot to reverse the score. Then he scored three points, and after Westbrook hit the iron, LeVert broke through again. James didn't make a layup either, and Lamb counter-attacked to score. Westbrook hit a three-pointer, and Tucker was scoring. But the Pacers are also scoring, and Sabonis and others have grabbed a lot of rebounds in the frontcourt, and LeVert has scored on the board, leading by seven points. James broke through the scoring, Westbrook was replaced, and Sabonis and LeVert hit three-pointers, and LeVert followed up, taking an 11-point lead. James hit 2 free throws, LeVert continued to score, Tucker broke through and scored, but unfortunately there was not enough time for the Pacers to win the game.
Wei Shao is really unpredictable, and you never know what kind of performance he will play. In the first quarter, Wei Shaolian hit three points, and thought he was going to break out this time, but he didn't expect to hit iron frequently next. These two three points made Wei Shao misunderstand himself, and he thought he was very accurate? Wei Shao should actually hit the basket more, and throwing a random shot like this has no effect. The Lakers actually played well in front of this game, James broke out again, actively scoring and grabbing the board, the defense was also very hard, after the promise changed, he did it, and played well in the past two games.
Others in the Lakers have also stepped forward, such as bench Anthony and Tucker, both of whom have played well. However, Vogel's employment has once again caused controversy, and Howard is clearly the starting center, and he has performed well and defended well. But Howard didn't play much time and didn't have much ball. In Howard's absence, the Lakers' defensive intensity was much worse and they were chased back by the Pacers. And Vogel is still a tendon, the last quarter is not willing to let Howard play, abandoning Howard undoubtedly became a failure, the Pacers repeatedly grabbed the board to score, and finally lost the game.