BBNBA: Lakers in danger of being swept despite Anthony Davis' 30-point double-double
When the Lakers acquired former ‘Cat Anthony Davis in July 2019, the storied franchise captured their 17th NBA Championship the following season — tied with the Celtics for the most in the league. Tag-teaming with LeBron James, it seemed like a dynasty was potentially in the making.
However, winning hasn’t been as easy since then.
After just sneaking into the NBA Playoffs this season, the Lakers would take on the reigning champion Nuggets in the first round. Last season, the Nuggets swept the Lakers in the Western Conference Finals. Unfortunately for the boys on the West Coast, it looks like the brooms could make an appearance again this year.
Despite a stellar performance from AD, the Lakers fell to the Nuggets 112-105 in Game 3 on Thursday night. Now, Jamal Murray and company boast a 3-0 series lead over the Lakers in the first round of the Western Conference Playoffs.
Murray put up 22 points and nine assists in the winning effort for Denver. In the loss, Davis would score 33 points on 14-23 shooting while grabbing 15 rebounds along the way. That’s the 6th career 30-point, 15-rebound game for Davis in the postseason.
This season, Davis has been an iron man for the Lakers, starting and playing in 76 games thus far in the 2023-24 campaign. That actually marks a new career high for the former Wooden Award winner. In 2016-17 and 2017-18, Davis made an appearance in 75 games.
We’re not too far removed from Charles Barkley infamously calling AD “street clothes” because of his past injury issues, either. So, even if the Lakers’ run this season gets cut short, it would be hard to put the blame on Davis now.
76ers close gap on Knicks, Tyrese Maxey puts up 25 points
Meanwhile, on the East Coast, the Philadelphia 76ers were able to close the gap on the New York Knicks as Joel Embiid erupted for 50 points in a 125-114 win at home. However, Tyrese Maxey would show the world why he won the NBA’s Most Improved Player award, scoring 25 points and dishing out seven assists on the night. The 76ers are now just in a 2-1 hole against the Knicks. Avoiding being down 3-0 is huge, to say the least.
In this series, Maxey is averaging 31 points, seven assists, and five rebounds per game. It’s safe to say that the former All-SEC member has emerged as one of the brightest young stars in the NBA. Right now, Maxey can hardly do any wrong on the hardwood.
The series will take a two-day break before it picks up again on Sunday. Maybe Maxey and the 76ers can put some pressure on the Knicks and even the series at two apiece.
4/25/24 Statistics
| Player | Score | PTS | FG (3PT) | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TO | +/- | MIN |
| Anthony Davis (LAL) | 112-105 L vs DEN | 33 | 14-23 (0-0) | 15 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -4 | 43 |
| Tyrese Maxey (PHI) | 125-114 W vs NYK | 25 | 9-21 (3-8) | 4 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 41 |
| Jamal Murray (DEN) | 112-105 W @ LAL | 22 | 8-21 (1-6) | 5 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 7 | 41 |
| Jarred Vanderbilt (LAL) | 112-105 L vs DEN | DNP – Foot | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Jacob Toppin (NYK) | 125-114 L @ PHI | DNP – G-League | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Julius Randle (NYK) | 125-114 L @ PHI | DNP – Shoulder | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
Tonight in the NBA Playoffs
EC Round 1 / Game 3 / Tied 1-1
5:30 (ESPN): [3] Bucks (Washington Jr., Livingston) @ [6] Pacers (Tshiebwe, Jackson)
WC Round 1 / Game 3 / Tied 1-1
8:00 (ESPN): [4] Clippers (Boston Jr.) @ [5] Mavericks (Washington)
WC Round 1 / Game 3 / MIN leads 2-0
10:30 (ESPN): [3] Timberwolves (Towns) @ [6] Suns (Booker)
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