The San Antonio Spurs overcomes LeBron's outstanding performance as DeMar DeRozan near triple-double helps the Spurs beat the Lakers, 110-106 on Saturday night. LeBron James had an spectacular performance against the San Antonio Spurs but wasn't enough to beat them as DeMar DeRozan and Lamarcus Aldridge showed their brilliance to put the Spurs to 3 wins and 2 losses.
Game Recap
The first quarter was won by the Lakers after showing some good defense and at the same time, scoring consistently. JaVale McGee was a nice presence inside the paint defensively. His length was very useful to get some defensive stops. But despite the great defense, DeMar DeRozan's mid-range game was deadly. Even if it was contested, he can still make the shot and looks like he mastered the mid-range shot. Aldridge was also making some early damage in the first period. On the other hand, LeBron James looks more aggressive and focus in scoring. He gets his shots going early in the game and just punished Spur's defense.
Rajon Ronjo is back in action after being suspended for punching Chris Paul. Rondo did not start the game, instead it was Lonzo ball who cracks up to the starting line up in the point guard position. When Rondo steps on the floor, he immediately provide some assists and a three-pointer. The energy guy Lance Stephenson added some spark for the Lakeshow in the first period. He provided some scoring and puts the icing in the cake as he finished the first quarter with a buzzer-beater three-pointer.
In the second quarter, DeRozan continued his dominance and continued his scoring. JaVale Mcgee was getting buckets in the paint from some pretty assists from LeBron and Rondo. Kyle Kuzma was very consistent helping LeBron in scoring. His shooting is very reliable for the Lakers and he's trying his best in defense being more aggressive as he can. DeRozan had a thunderous dunk in traffic which made the crowd roar but Kuzma had an explosive dunk of his own in transition which immediately silence the crowd. Lakers got the momentum late in the second period as Lonzo Ball finished the quarter with his open three-pointer.
DeRozan start the third quarter using his mid-range game and hits a fadeaway jumper while LeBron James is doing all he can to keep the Lakers the lead. James used all of his all around skills, muscling to the paint with his strength and post moves, pulling up for a mid-range jump shot and three-pointers and driving to the lane and finishing strong to the basket. For the Spurs, Forbes lights it up as he make an impact for the team with his hot shooting. The veteran Spaniard big man Pau Gasol finished the third with a put back slam after a Rudy Gay's missed.
The fourth quarter was intense. Both teams are battling hard every possession. The Lakers can't do anything about DeRozan's mid-range game. It was killing them and he's unstoppable. Also Spurs' defense in the fourth was very tough for the Lakers. They can't get a clean look and they are forced to take bad shots after bad shots.
In the final minute of the game, James kept the game close with his easy drive to the basket and an assist for a Josh Hart's three to cut the deficit to one. With 18 seconds remaining, DeRozan drives and spin but Josh Hart's defense was outstanding. DeRozan had nowhere to go he pump fakes the ball to times but Hart was still in front of him and he had no choice but to take a highly contested shot and boom! The shot went in and the Spurs lead by three. (look at how great is the defense in the photo above).
LeBron had a chance to tie the game and he took a tough long three-pointer and it does not went in. Josh Hart grabs the offensive rebound and was fouled. Hart makes 1/2 free throw and Gasol was fouled on the rebound. Pau makes both free throws and sealed the win.
Stats
LeBron James - 35 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals
Kyle Kuzma - 15 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist
JaVale McGee - 9 points, 5 rebounds, 4 blocks
Rajon Rondo - 12 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists
Lance Stephenson - 14 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal
DeMar DeRozan - 30 points, 12 rebounds, 8 assists, 2 steals, 1 block
LaMarcus Aldridge - 15 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 blocks
Rudy Gay - 16 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal, 2 blocks
Pau Gasol - 11 points, 12 rebounds
Bryn Forbes - 16 points, 2 steals
Lakers will visit Minnesota on Monday night while the Spurs host Dallas also on Monday night
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