FSM Essential Recap: Lakers vs Wizards – Game 62
The Los Angeles Lakers took on the Washington Wizards on Wednesday night looking to close their road trip win back-to-back wins after a rough start.
Their effort level was low for most of the night, resulting in a 116-107 win for the Wizards over the Lakers.
The Lakers actually got off to a good start, with Anthony Davis getting a couple of quick buckets as he continued getting closer and closer to returning to his usual self. Andre Drummond also imposed his will with eight points and four rebounds in the first quarter as it became clear early that the Lakers would have the size advantage.
Unfortunately, though, the Wizards have the NBA’s leading scorer in Bradley Beal and went to work early to keep Washington in it. Daniel Gafford and Chandler Hutchison also had a poster dunk to energize their team.
There wasn’t much defense overall in the first quarter, and the Lakers ended it with a slim 35-31 lead.
While the Lakers had the early size advantage, Robin Lopez came off the bench for the Wizards and neutralized that with eight points in the second quarter to give his team the lead. As has been the case a lot lately, the Lakers went on an offensive dry spell, which didn’t help matters.
Kyle Kuzma ended the spell with a three, but for the most part, the Lakers struggled to continue their hot scoring in the first quarter in the second and as a result went into the locker room trailing 61-55.
The Wizards added a third poster dunk early in the third quarter when Rui Hachimura rose up and got one of Davis. On the other end of the floor, though, Drummond continued to work in the paint.
Russell Westbrook, who is averaging a triple-double once again this season, nearly had one by the end of the third quarter in this one. He played a big part in the Wizards extending their lead, which got up to 15 after Beal knocked down a three to force a Lakers timeout.
Ben McLemore hit a three to cut the deficit to 13 at the end of three quarters, but other than that, the Lakers’ offensive struggles continued. They struggled on that end, and defensively, they allowed 90 points through three quarters.
The fourth quarter was much the same as the Lakers couldn’t put a run together, and the Wizards worked their lead up to 19. However, that was followed by a 14-4 Lakers run to get them back within single digits with five minutes to play.
Davis moving to the center position sparked that run as he could finally get going offensively, knocking down a pair of threes and a couple of dunks.
When it looked like the Lakers were making it a game, though, Westbrook responded with a three of his own and then a three-point play to get the Wizards’ lead back up to double digits.
Beal then knocked down a dagger 3-point to put it out of reach with three minutes to play.
Lakers News and Notes:
With Anthony Davis back on the court, the Los Angeles Lakers finally appear to be getting over their injury woes.
Davis was out for over two months before returning against the Dallas Mavericks, while LeBron James remains on the mend as he rehabs his ankle. James is rumored to be returning soon, but no return date is set.
While the stars for the Lakers are getting healthier, the time for them to get re-acclimated and ready for the playoffs is quickly dwindling. In most situations, Davis and James would be resting ahead of the postseason, but according to head coach Frank Vogel, they will likely be playing in the team’s remaining back-to-back sets if they are healthy.
“I think the plan right now is for AD to certainly to play them all,” Vogel said. “If Bron is back and ready to play, his history suggests that he would want to play in both. Obviously, we’ll make game-time reads on the day of the game as to where he’s at with his ankle and whether he should play in both of those games, but that has not been decided yet.”
Unfortunately, the condensed 2020-21 season’s schedule backloaded most of the back-to-backs, and the Lakers have four sets remaining. Vogel recently admitted he is concerned that Davis and James will not have enough on-court time together before the playoffs, so it makes sense why he would want them playing down the stretch.
Ahead of their game against the Orlando Magic, Davis’ minutes restriction was lifted, which says that he is over the hump with his injury. He is excited not to have a minutes restriction anymore and is ready to play back-to-backs.
“I missed 30 games, so I think I had enough rest to be able to play those back-to-backs,” Davis said after the win over the Magic. “I plan on playing both games of the back-to-backs that we have.”
When James returns, his minutes are likely similarly managed but should see any restrictions removed shortly after barring any setbacks.
The most important thing is that Los Angeles gets to the playoffs healthy because if every player on the roster is available, then the Purple and Gold will be the odds-on favorite in any series. Davis and James are too skilled and talented, so it should not take long for the superstar duo to get back up to speed and back to their elite levels of play.
Although James has been teasing his return, Vogel maintained that the superstar is still out indefinitely. However, that is more than likely coach-speak, as James is within his initial timeline for a return.
The Lakers are at home against the Kings on Friday. The tip-off is at 7:30 pm and the game can be seen on Spectrum SportsNet.
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-Joe Arrigo – Franchise Sports Media
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