Lakers guard Austin Reaves, left, is fouled by Philadelphia 76ers ahead Paul Reed through the first half on Friday evening at Crypto.com Area. (AP Picture/Jae C. Hong)
Lakers ahead LeBron James (23) is pressured by Philadelphia 76ers guard Kelly Oubre Jr. (9) and ahead Nicolas Batum (40) through the first half of an NBA basketball sport Friday, March 22, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Picture/Jae C. Hong)
Lakers ahead LeBron James (23) celebrates his dunk towards the Philadelphia 76ers through the first half of an NBA basketball sport Friday, March 22, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Picture/Jae C. Hong)
Lakers ahead Rui Hachimura (28) is defended by Philadelphia 76ers guard Kelly Oubre Jr. (9) and guard Kyle Lowry (7) through the first half of an NBA basketball sport Friday, March 22, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Picture/Jae C. Hong)
Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell passes the ball through the first half of the group’s NBA basketball sport towards the Philadelphia 76ers Friday, March 22, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Picture/Jae C. Hong)
Lakers middle Jaxson Hayes (11) and guard D’Angelo Russell (1) have fun a dunk by LeBron James towards the Philadelphia 76ers through the first half of an NBA basketball sport Friday, March 22, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Picture/Jae C. Hong)
Lakers star Anthony Davis (3) goes up for a basket previous Philadelphia 76ers’ Paul Reed (44) through the first half of an NBA basketball sport Friday, March 22, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Picture/Jae C. Hong)
The Lakers’ LeBron James (23) and guard D’Angelo Russell (1) have fun a dunk by James towards the Philadelphia 76ers through the first half of an NBA basketball sport Friday, March 22, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Picture/Jae C. Hong)
Philadelphia 76ers ahead Tobias Harris (12) defends towards Lakers ahead LeBron James (23) through the first half of an NBA basketball sport Friday, March 22, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Picture/Jae C. Hong)
Lakers guard Austin Reaves dribbles through the first half of an NBA basketball sport towards the Philadelphia 76ers Friday, March 22, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Picture/Jae C. Hong)
Lakers ahead Anthony Davis (3) seems to be at Philadelphia 76ers ahead Paul Reed (44) after making a 3-point basket through the first half of an NBA basketball sport Friday, March 22, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Picture/Jae C. Hong)
Philadelphia 76ers guard Buddy Hield (17) makes his method down the courtroom after making a 3-point basket towards the Lakers through the first half of an NBA basketball sport Friday, March 22, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Picture/Jae C. Hong)
Lakers ahead Rui Hachimura (28) is defended by Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey (0) through the first half of an NBA basketball sport Friday, March 22, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Picture/Jae C. Hong)
Lakers ahead Anthony Davis dribbles through the first half of an NBA basketball sport towards the Philadelphia 76ers Friday, March 22, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Picture/Jae C. Hong)
Lakers ahead Anthony Davis, middle, and Philadelphia 76ers ahead Tobias Harris, left, vie for a rebound through the first half of an NBA basketball sport Friday, March 22, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Picture/Jae C. Hong)
Lakers ahead LeBron James, middle, shoots towards Philadelphia 76ers guard Kelly Oubre Jr., proper, and ahead Paul Reed through the first half of an NBA basketball sport Friday, March 22, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Picture/Jae C. Hong)
Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) grabs the ball in entrance of Philadelphia 76ers ahead Tobias Harris (12) through the second half of an NBA basketball sport Friday, March 22, 2024, in Los Angeles. The Lakers gained 101-94. (AP Picture/Jae C. Hong)
Lakers ahead Cam Reddish, high, fouls Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey through the second half of an NBA basketball sport Friday, March 22, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Picture/Jae C. Hong)
Philadelphia 76ers guard Kelly Oubre Jr. (9) shoots over Lakers ahead LeBron James through the second half of an NBA basketball sport Friday, March 22, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Picture/Jae C. Hong)
Philadelphia 76ers guard Cameron Payne (22) fouls Lakers ahead LeBron James (23) through the second half of an NBA basketball sport Friday, March 22, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Picture/Jae C. Hong)
Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey (0) has his shot blocked by Lakers ahead Anthony Davis through the second half of an NBA basketball sport Friday, March 22, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Picture/Jae C. Hong)
Lakers ahead LeBron James (23) celebrates his dunk towards the Philadelphia 76ers through the first half of an NBA basketball sport Friday, March 22, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Picture/Jae C. Hong)
Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey brings the ball up through the second half of the group’s NBA basketball sport towards the Lakers Friday, March 22, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Picture/Jae C. Hong)
Lakers ahead Cam Reddish, high, fouls Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey through the second half of an NBA basketball sport Friday, March 22, 2024, in Los Angeles. The Lakers gained 101-94. (AP Picture/Jae C. Hong)
Lakers star LeBron James grabs the ball through the second half of an NBA basketball sport towards the Philadelphia 76ers Friday, March 22, 2024, in Los Angeles.(AP Picture/Jae C. Hong)
Lakers star Anthony Davis celebrates after making a basket through the first half of their sport towards the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday evening at Crypto.com Area. Davis had 23 factors, 19 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 blocked pictures in a 101-94 win. (AP Picture/Jae C. Hong)
Lakers ahead Rui Hachimura (28) has his shot blocked by Philadelphia 76ers middle Mo Bamba (5) as Lakers’ Anthony Davis, left, watches through the first half of an NBA basketball sport Friday, March 22, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Picture/Jae C. Hong)
Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell passes the ball through the first half of an NBA basketball sport towards the Philadelphia 76ers Friday, March 22, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Picture/Jae C. Hong)
Lakers ahead Anthony Davis (3) and Philadelphia 76ers middle Mo Bamba (5) vie for a rebound through the second half of an NBA basketball sport Friday, March 22, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Picture/Jae C. Hong)
Philadelphia 76ers Kelly Oubre Jr. walks on the courtroom through the second half of the group’s NBA basketball sport towards the Lakers on Friday, March 22, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Picture/Jae C. Hong)
Lakers stars LeBron James, left, talks with Anthony Davis earlier than the group’s NBA basketball sport towards the Philadelphia 76ers Friday, March 22, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Picture/Jae C. Hong)
Lakers star LeBron James factors towards the gang throughout warmups for the group’s NBA basketball sport towards the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday, March 22, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Picture/Jae C. Hong)
Lakers star Anthony Davis shares a lightweight second with teammates throughout warmups earlier than the group’s NBA basketball sport towards the Philadelphia 76ers Friday, March 22, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Picture/Jae C. Hong)
Lakers star LeBron James smiles throughout warmups earlier than the group’s NBA basketball sport towards the Philadelphia 76ers Friday, March 22, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Picture/Jae C. Hong)
The Lakers’ LeBron James, left, Anthony Davis, middle, and Austin Reaves sit on the bench earlier than the group’s NBA basketball sport towards the Philadelphia 76ers Friday, March 22, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Picture/Jae C. Hong)
Lakers ahead Rui Hachimura, left, is greeted by teammate LeBron James as he’s launched earlier than the group’s NBA basketball sport towards the Philadelphia 76ers Friday, March 22, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Picture/Jae C. Hong)
Lakers star LeBron James is launched for the group’s NBA basketball sport towards the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday, March 22, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Picture/Jae C. Hong)
Lakers ahead Rui Hachimura walks on the courtroom earlier than the group’s NBA basketball sport towards the Philadelphia 76ers Friday, March 22, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Picture/Jae C. Hong)
LOS ANGELES — If there’s motive to be optimistic in regards to the Lakers in a playoff setting, their 5-3 stretch from Feb. 25-March 10, considered one of their hardest stretches from a high quality of opponent perspective, is one thing to level to.
But when there’s a motive to be extra pessimistic about their postseason outlook, and their capability to even make it right into a first-round collection, it’s how they’ve dealt with video games towards groups nearer to them within the league’s general standings.
The newest instance was Friday evening’s 101-94 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers at Crypto.com Area. Neither group led by double digits all evening, and the Lakers dedicated 21 turnovers throughout their lowest scoring efficiency since Jan. 3.
“Ugly, however we acquired the job performed,” stated LeBron James, who scored 11 of his 20 factors within the fourth quarter. “We defended (nicely) within the second half. They solely had 18 (factors) within the fourth. That’s big-time when the offense was struggling prefer it was. … We turned the ball over method an excessive amount of and gave up too straightforward baskets, however after we acquired within the half-court, we buckled down and made them take powerful pictures.”
Coach Darvin Ham echoed that after his group held on for its seventh win in 11 video games after having three days off since beating Atlanta on Monday.
“Plenty of issues are gonna occur in an NBA basketball sport,” Ham stated. “The one factor you’ll be able to’t do is have self-inflicted wounds the place you’re upset since you didn’t get a whistle. Otherwise you’re turning the ball over. There’s a distinction between simply unforced errors and aggressive turnovers.
“However our group buckled down. Guys turned vocal on the sideline, which was nice. The dialogue, we’ve been preaching that each one yr, and it’s actually been at a excessive degree right here currently.”
The Lakers (38-32) pulled off their 14th victory of their final 21 video games, however they squeaked by a 76ers group (38-32) that has been with out reigning league MVP Joel Embiid (left knee) since early February and has struggled in his absence, going 9-15 since he’s been sidelined.
After a quiet first three quarters, together with fighting turnovers (seven), LeBron James (eight rebounds and 6 assists) stepped up within the fourth. Neither group led by greater than seven factors till his 3-pointer with 2:11 left gave the Lakers a 96-87 lead.
Anthony Davis took benefit of the 76ers’ lack of inside measurement, ending with 23 factors, 19 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 blocked pictures because the Lakers snapped a seven-game dropping streak of their matchups with the Sixers. The Lakers hadn’t crushed Philadelphia since March 3, 2020.
Davis (who scored 9 of his factors within the fourth) blocked Tyrese Maxey (27 factors) and Kyle Lowry within the ultimate two minutes to assist protect the Lakers’ late lead.
“Clearly, the three-day relaxation, guys didn’t have their legs and rhythm was off,” James stated. “Our turnovers have been up much more than we’re accustomed over the previous few weeks. So, however we acquired the job performed.”
All 5 Lakers starters scored in double figures. Rui Hachimura had 14 factors and 7 rebounds, D’Angelo Russell had 14 factors, 5 rebounds and three assists and Austin Reaves had 14 factors, six rebounds and 5 assists.
Russell’s 4 3-pointers put him at 187 for the season, breaking his tie with Nick Van Exel for the single-season franchise document (183).
“It simply feels good to be part of considered one of these sort of offers,” Russell stated. “And this franchise is without doubt one of the most prestigious. So to have my title be part of it, greater than grateful, blessed past measure. Simply need to preserve persevering with to shatter it if I can and make it actually onerous for the following individual.”
Spencer Dinwiddie made three 3-pointers and contributed 11 factors off the bench, probably the most he’s scored since becoming a member of his hometown group final month.
“They discovered me for a few good threes,” Dinwiddie stated. “I used to be lucky sufficient to make them, and that was sort of the change for that play.”
However even with the person vivid spots, the Lakers as soon as once more didn’t show the main focus towards the 76ers that they typically do towards the league’s high groups.
Their 21 turnovers, which led to 27 Philadelphia factors, fueled the 76ers in transition (20 fast-break factors allowed).
However the Lakers’ stout protection, which held the 76ers to 34.4% taking pictures, led them to victory.
The Lakers entered Friday 6-15 towards opponents with a season-long level differential within the center 10 in comparison with the remainder of the league – twenty sixth within the league and the worst amongst all groups with a successful document on the season, in line with Cleansing The Glass.
Their minus-4.9 level differential in these matchups ranked twenty third, making them the one group with a successful document among the many backside 10.
PRINCE OUT
Lakers swingman Taurean Prince missed the sport for private causes. Ham famous after the sport that he expects Prince again for Sunday evening’s residence sport towards Indiana.
D’Angelo Russell: “This franchise is without doubt one of the most prestigious, so to have my title simply to be part of it, I am greater than grateful.” pic.twitter.com/UqOGxJizC6