Gary Dineen/NBAE through Getty Photos
The Los Angeles Lakers beat the Milwaukee Bucks 128-124 in double extra time on Tuesday evening, and when you think about the total context of the victory—even exterior of the inherent drama that comes with extra time—it could have been their finest win of the season.
The Lakers have been with out LeBron James (ankle soreness). They have been on the street in opposition to the harmful Bucks. They got here out ice chilly, trailing by as many as 19 factors within the first quarter. Each run that they had throughout the primary three quarters was answered by the Bucks, resulting in a 19-point deficit with about eight minutes remaining.
However the Lakers stored combating, rattling off a 27-9 run that shockingly compelled extra time.
After which the sport went right into a second extra time because of an epic block from Anthony Davis:
Lastly, mercifully, the Lakers put the Bucks away within the second extra time, as each groups appeared visibly gassed.
When the mud settled, the beginning trio of Anthony Davis (34 factors, 23 rebounds, 4 blocks in 52 minutes), D’Angelo Russell (29 factors, 12 assists) and Austin Reaves (29 factors, 14 rebounds, 10 assists) offered spectacular performances for Los Angeles.
And social media had nothing however love for them and for the Lakers generally following an unimaginable present of grit and resolve:
Giannis Antetokounmpo (29 factors, 21 rebounds, 11 assists) paced the Bucks, whereas Damian Lillard scored 27 factors and added eight dimes however shot simply 9-of-29 from the sector.
The Lakers (40-32) now have received 4 straight, tying a season-best profitable streak. The Bucks (46-26) noticed a two-game profitable streak snapped.
It did not look good for the Lakers after a very ugly first half. They trailed by 16 factors on the break and have been simply 1-of-13 from three in that point. It can’t be understated how poorly they began.
Mike Trudell @LakersReporter
Poor clock administration from the Lakers within the last minute helped the Bucks push their lead again to 16, after LAL had trimmed it to as few as 6 halfway via the interval.<br><br>LAL weren’t sharp, capturing solely 33.3% within the half, with Russell/Reaves/Dinwiddie combining to go 3 for 16.
The Lakers have been practically completed in by a poor capturing evening (42-of-108 from the sector, 38.9 %) and points with turnovers (17). They struggled to shut quarters, getting shut within the second and third earlier than giving up massive runs.
They countered with a superb defensive efficiency, headlined by AD, and confirmed no stop regardless of a variety of large deficits.
No one would have blamed the Lakers for dropping this recreation with out LeBron, particularly after they dug themselves an enormous gap on the street in opposition to a title contender. However abruptly, a Lakers group that has struggled with consistency all season lengthy is beginning to seem like a formidable opponent, particularly in the event that they proceed to play with the identical defensive depth and coronary heart proven on Tuesday.