On March 12, the NBA regular season ended a focus battle, with the Lakers beating the Wizards 122-109 at home, ending their recent two-game losing streak. The Wizards led by seven points in the first half, and James scored 19 points in the third quarter to lead the team back. The Lakers successfully won the final quarter under the leadership of James, Tucker and Munch, James bombed 50 points, Westbrook did not perform well, but the number of assists rose to 11th in NBA history, a milestone moment.
Statistics:
Wizards: Pop 4 points, Kuzma 23 points, 7 boards and 3 assists, Porzingis 14 points, 14 boards and 2 assists, Keyspert 21 points, Neto 6 points, Yamura 15 points and 6 boards, Garford 5 points and 7 boards, Ismail 5 points;
Lakers: Reeves 12 points, 5 boards and 3 assists, Johnson 7 points and 6 boards, James 50 points, 7 boards and 6 assists, Munch 21 points, Westbrook 5 points, 3 boards and 9 assists, Anthony 7 points, Tucker 15 points;
Focus Lens:
James scored 50+ this campaign, the second time this season, James 2 times 50+ in 6 days, the only player in the league to cut 50+ twice this season;
Westbrook officially surpassed Andre Miller (8524) in career assists to 11th all-time;
Contest Review:
In the first quarter, Keyspert scored his first goal from an empty basket, James also made a three-pointer, Westbroung made one of two free throws, and Porzingis hit two free throws. Munch broke through, James assisted Reeves, and then he scored on a layup. Porzingis and Kispert scored five straight points to tie the score. Munch also scored consecutive points from the outside and breakout, with Kuz scoring on horseback baskets and Kuzma and James dunking consecutively. Garford turned and slammed, Ismail scored on a jumper, Anthony and James scored seven straight points, and the Lakers led by nine points. Ismail hit one of two free throws and Hitamura hit consecutive three-pointers to tie the two sides at 26 in the first quarter.
In the second quarter, James hit a three-pointer, Satoransky scored with a dunk, and Tucker steals and dunks that were brilliant. Keyspert's drifting three-point shot, Westbrook and Porzingis cut points, James hit another three-pointer, Porzingis hit a jumper and Yamura scored on a layup. Keyspert hit a three-pointer and the Wizards were once again on the lead. Reeves advanced and Satoransky hit both free throws. Munch broke through to the top, Neto hit a jumper and Johnson's three-pointer. Yamura hit one of two free throws, with Reeves and Garford scoring against each other. Munch hit the outside line again, Pop also scored with color, Yamura scored a basket, Pop hit two free throws, and the Wizards made a wave of 12-3. James made a layup to stop the bleeding, Kuzma broke through and scored, ending the first half with the Wizards 59-52 Lakers.
In the third quarter, Porzingis scored a basket, Kuzma made one of two free throws, Westbrook broke through, James hit a three-pointer, and Kuzma also used color. Reeves hit a jumper, Neto and Reeves cut in the air, and James turned over to score on a jumper. Kuz immediately scored a basket, James scored 12 points in a row, and the Lakers directly countered the score. Keyspert made a layup, Johnson threw in, James hit both free throws and Kuzma hit a three-pointer. Ismail ate a technical foul and James scored. Tucker and Garford scored consecutive free throws, Tucker scored on a layup, and Ismail broke through successfully. Tucker and Gabriel scored seven straight points to finish the third quarter, and the Wizards were 82-89 lakers.
In the fourth quarter, Keyspert hit a three-pointer, Anthony hit two free throws, and Satoransky scored five consecutive points to stop the Lakers. James jumped to stop the bleeding, Munch hit a three-pointer and Ismail broke through to score. Munch hit another three-pointer, James scored in a high arc, then he broke through and the Lakers extended their advantage to 10 points. Keyspert scored, Tucker dunked, Kuzma threw a shot, and Munch assisted Tucker to score. Kuzma made one of two free throws and James assisted Reeves to score. James hit another jumper, and then he scored 2+1, and James hit a three-pointer to score his 50th point. After that, the Lakers maintained the lead and successfully won the victory.
Two teams starting lineup:
Lakers: Westbrook, Munch, Reeves, S-Johnson, James;
Wizards: Neto, Kispert, Pop, Kuzma, Platinum;
The next match between the two sides:
March 13 at 11:00, Wizards vs Trail Blazers;
March 14 at 9:00, Lakers vs Suns;