Los Angeles Lakers proved they are scary at full strength
By Jason Reed
The Los Angeles Lakers started the second half of the NBA season with a statement come from behind win over the Houston Rockets.
The Los Angeles Lakers started the second half of the NBA season exactly how the team wanted to start: with a W in the win column. Not only did the Lakers win their first game back from the break but it came against a tough playoff team in the Houston Rockets.
Los Angeles defeated Houston by a 111-106 tally on Thursday night with a great all-around effort. LeBron James led the way scoring-wise with 29 while Brandon Ingram scored 27 with 13 rebounds and Reggie Bullock knocked down four of his eight threes.
The Lakers ran away with the game late but it appeared as if the Rockets were going to get the job done all game long. Houston was up 86-68 with over four minutes left in the third quarter and entered the final quarter with a seven-point lead.
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Los Angeles was then able to take the lead with 4:15 left in the game and it was a back and forth affair from there. Ultimately, it was James and the Lakers that managed to lock down Houston.
This game was more than just a regular season win for the Los Angeles Lakers and this is coming from someone who rarely overexaggerates how important a regular season game is. This game was big for the Lakers, not only for the team’s demeanor but to send a message to the rest of the league.
That message? We are scary when we are at full strength and this is only the beginning.
The Lakers are still missing their starting point guard in Lonzo Ball, which is a huge void to fill defensively. The Lakers are much better with Ball on the court and are going to be even scarier once he returns.
LeBron, Ingram and the Lakers proved that when the going gets tough to close out the year that the team can respond. Playoff LeBron seems to be in effect, which should lead to some great performances in the last 24 games.
Brandon Ingram is playing really good basketball and that break might be exactly what he needed. Josh Hart balled out on Thursday night and Bullock’s stroke from downtown proved to be a huge factor.
As long as LeBron can keep his motor going and Ingram can ride this hot streak then the Lakers are going to close out of the year with a strong run. Kyle Kuzma has already been playing great all year long and shows no signs of slowing down and the team now has a fairly deep bench and rotation.
While the Los Angeles Lakers are still a bit away from dethroning the Golden State Warriors in the West, the team could theoretically take two games from Golden State in a playoff series.
dark. Next. If Davis comes so will Kyrie
And if the Lakers do make the playoffs it would not be surprising to see the team make the Western Conference Finals, so long as the Lakers do not have to play the Warriors prior to that.