Davis, LeBron shine as Lakers defeat Spurs in NBA Cup

Anthony Davis dropped 40 points and LeBron James achieved career-first fourth straight triple double as Lakers defeated San Antonio Spurs at the Frost Bank Center.

Los Angeles Lakers, looked to defend their title as they took on Spurs in the Emirates NBA Cup Group Play on Saturday. Lakers brilliant form in the tournament saw them be the first team to win the tournament as LeBron James also claimed the MVP.

They did exactly that as they claimed a 120-115 victory over Spurs on the road. Anthony Davis led with a season-high 40 points and 12 rebounds, while LeBron James added a season-high 16 rebounds and 12 assists.

Spurs started strong as the went on a 9-0 run against Lakers, Wenbanyama scoring 5 points while the Lakers couldn’t find their rhythm just yet, Spurs brilliant performance forcing a turnover from the Lakers, and 3 missed shots. Lakers soon began to get their game as they went on a 12-4 run to close the first quarter, LeBron scoring 4 points and Wenbanyama’s turnover, fueling the Lakers momentum.

Lakers led Spurs 31-30 at the end of the first quarter, Davis tying his season-high record for points in a quarter with 16, shooting 5-for-9 and 6-for-6 from the free throw line. They continued their run into the second quarter with James, providing an assist for Max Christie for five straight Lakers points and creating their own double digit lead, forcing a Spurs timeout.

Spurs came back strong after the timeout, Wenbanyama leading a 9-0 run to regain their flow. Lakers soon hit back as they went on an amazing 8-0 run in 38 seconds, LeBron and Reaves combining for 6 points and a steal from D’Angelo Russel. Lakers led 68-60 at halftime, Davis fueling their lead with 26 points, with a 60% shooting from field goals and 8-for-8 from the line. LeBron nicked a season-high 7 assists in the second quarter, with 8 assists and 8 rebounds in total.

However, San Antonio came out with an electric start to the third quarter, going on a 10-2 run and cutting the Lakers lead to 75-72, Lakers missing four threes on a stretch and Wenbanyama getting a steal. Los Angeles also fought back, LeBron securing a triple-double with 11 points, 10 assists and 12 rebounds.

The Los Angeles Lakers led San Antonio Spurs 93-86 going into the fourth quarter, Davis leading with 30 points and 9 rebounds, while James adds a double-double. Victor Wenbanyama led Spurs with 24 points and 10 rebounds.

Lakers nicked the game with brilliant performances from both LeBron and Davis. Davis with a season-high 40 points, and LeBron with a season-high fourth straight triple-double at the Frost Bank Center.

Davis Said, “You get to play a game like this on the road, especially when we’ve been struggling on the road to come in this locker room at the end of the game and get the win, I mean, it was phenomenal. Taking steps in the right direction.”

Davis finished the game with a season-high 40 points, 12 rebounds and also had a 53.8% shooting in 36 minutes played in the game.

“It was big-time for our team knowing that we can execute down the stretch and it doesn’t always have to be in early transition or it doesn’t always have to be just the ball in my hands and we isolate or whatever the case may be,” James said.

On a historic night where he moved into a tie for the fifth most regular-season NBA games ever played, James figured out a way to do the incredible, achieving a season-high fourth straight triple-double.

Lakers improve their season form to 8-4 as they take on the New Orleans Pelicans in the second night of a road back-to-back before returning to L. A to host Utah Jazz on Tuesday to resume their NBA Cup Group Play.

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