James and Davis spearhead 4th-quarter surge as Lakers fend off 76ers

The Los Angeles Lakers claimed a 101-94 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers in the NBA on Friday night. Anthony Davis scored 23 points and 19 rebounds, while D’Angelo Russell established a new Lakers record for the most 3-pointers in a single season. The Lakers had not secured a win against the 76ers since March 2020, a losing streak of seven games before this match. Despite a series of 21 turnovers, the Lakers managed to overcome a persistent effort from Philadelphia in an intense game, in which neither team led by double digits all night.

LeBron James made significant contributions, scoring 20 points, registering eight rebounds, and providing six assists to the game. James and Davis are credited with providing the winning edge, managing to score 11 and nine points respectively in the final quarter. James’s efforts ensured the Lakers maintained their lead despite some close calls. “Ugly, but we got the job done,” said James, revealing that the team was able to buckle down and defend in the critical second half of the game.

D’Angelo Russell gained the limelight by surpassing the 3-pointer records set by Nick Van Exel during the 1994-95 season, making his 184th, mid-way through the first quarter. Finishing with 14 points and four 3-pointers, Russell expressed immense satisfaction at his accomplishment, stating “It just feels good to be part of one of these type of deals”. The Lakers have shown improved performance, registering their seventh win in 11 games.

Philadelphia 76ers’ Tyrese Maxey scored 22 of his 27 points in the second half. However, the team has been struggling in the absence of MVP Joel Embiid, losing seven out of the last 10 games. Philadelphia’s Kelly Oubre Jr. scored 19 points, while Tobias Harris achieved 16 points and 13 rebounds since his return from a three-game absence due to a sprained right ankle. Harris pointed out that the team’s lack of stops on the other end proved detrimental to the team’s performance in this game.

For the Lakers, Russell’s return after being traded last season has proven successful with his consistent scoring from the perimeter. His recent achievement of six 3-pointers, matching Van Exel’s record, has been noteworthy. Meanwhile, Spencer Dinwiddie, who recently joined the Lakers, scored 11 points with three 3-pointers in this game. In a slight setback, Taurean Prince did not participate in the game due to personal reasons. This game has ended Philadelphia’s four-game West Coast road trip with a 0-2 record.