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Los Angeles Lakers: LeBron James’ best games at the Staples Center

By Jason Reed

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 15: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers jokes with Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers on the bench during the first half at Staples Center on January 15, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and condition of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 15: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers jokes with Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers on the bench during the first half at Staples Center on January 15, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and condition of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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LeBron Jafmes’ newest home is with the Los Angeles Lakers at the Staples Center, a place where he has had some great performances in the past.

Even before LeBron James was connected to the Los Angeles Lakers, it was always a joy to see him play in LA against Kobe Bryant and the Lakers. When the Lakers were going through a rebuilding state, James had some battles with Lob City and the rest of the Los Angeles Clippers.

Now, James is going to be suiting up to play at the Staples Center on a frequent basis and looks to give performances similar to the Laker greats before him; although most of the greats played in The Forum.

LeBron James has already given us some great performances to relish on in the past, whether it was against the Los Angeles Clippers or the Los Angeles Lakers. Here are his five best games ever at the Staples Center with either the Cleveland Cavaliers or Miami Heat.

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5. Feb. 5, 2014 vs. Los Angeles Clippers

The February fifth contest between the Los Angeles Clippers and Miami Heat was between two NBA juggernauts and served as a potential NBA Finals preview.

The Heat entered the contest with a 35-12 record while the Clippers were not far behind with a 34-18 record.

While the Clippers did play some good basketball, it was the Heat in the end that pulled away with a 116-112 victory; backed by LeBron’s 31 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists.

4. Feb. 15, 2007 vs. Los Angeles Lakers

Rewind the clock seven years and a 22-year-old LeBron James squared off against a 28-year old Kobe Bryant in his prime. Although Bryant was a year away from his lone MVP award, he averaged 31.6 points per game, the second-best mark of his career and the best mark that season.

LeBron came into Kobe’s yard and not only beat him and the Lakers, but outplayed Bryant as well. This was one of the several few signs that the league was LeBron’s for the taking and it was only a matter of time before Bryant’s window started to close.

LeBron scored 38 points on 62.5 percent shooting to go along with four rebounds and three assists. Bryant scored 34 points on 40.9 percent shooting with six rebounds and five assists.

3. March 10, 2009 vs. Los Angeles Clippers

LeBron’s 2009 matchup vs the Los Angeles Clippers was far less appealing than his matchup with the Heat five years later. However, LeBron led a group of mediocre players to narrowly escape with an 87-83 victory over the mediocre Los Angeles Clippers.

One thing that Cavaliers team was good at was playing defense and LeBron provided most of the offense. The King scored 32 points that night to go alongside 11 assists and 13 rebounds. It is the only triple-double on this list and stands as his third-best performance in the Staples Center.

2. January 17, 2013 vs. Los Angeles Lakers

When it comes to pure star power, this game should have been one of the best to watch, on paper. One January game in the Staples Center included the likes of LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh, Ray Allen, Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash, Dwight Howard, Pau Gasol and Metta World Peace (previously known as Ron Artest).

Allen is already a Hall of Famer, LeBron, Kobe, Wade, Nash, Howard and Gasol are all surefire entries. Bosh and World Peace may not make it to the Hall but were very big contributors in their time.

However, the Lakers’ collecting of stars were all past their prime and that core proved to be more disappointing than the Kobe-Shaquille O’Neal core that added Karl Malone and Gary Payton.

The Miami Heat won the game, 99-90, backed by LeBron’s 39 points, eight assists and seven rebounds.

1. January 27, 2008 vs. Los Angeles Lakers

This was the matchup that we all were supposed to see in the NBA Finals. LeBron and Kobe had a good four-year window to play each other in the NBA Finals but to no avail. LeBron made it in 2007, Kobe in 2008-2010, and LeBron from 2011 to today. The Magic Johnson vs. Larry Bird of our generation never came to fruition.

However, the two superstars’ matchup in January 2008 still stands as LeBron’s best game in his new home. Kobe was an MVP, LeBron was well on his way to being one and the two went toe-to-toe and put it all out there on the court.

LeBron scored his career-best, 41 points, at the Staples Center that night to go along with nine rebounds and four assists. Kobe put up 33 points with 12 rebounds and six assists while reaching the free throw line 18 times.

LeBron and the Cavaliers walked away with a 98-95 win. With nine seconds left and down by a point, Kobe was forced to foul LeBron, to which he made both his free throws. With a three-point lead, the Cavaliers played lockdown defense in the final possession and the Lakers could not beat the shot clock.

Related Story. Top 30 players in Lakers history. light

LeBron James beat Kobe Bryant in what was not only his best game at the Staples Center but one of the best games of his career.

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