Without LeBron James, the Los Angeles Lakers lost a season-worst third-straight game on Sunday night against the Denver Nuggets, 128-104. Not even the return of Kyle Kuzma and a solid game from Anthony Davis were enough for L.A. to secure a home win to snap a season-worst losing streak.
Davis had 32 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Lakers but aside from Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Avery Bradley, nobody else on the Laker hit two 3-pointers or more. Kuzma had a strong showing in his first game back from an ankle injury with 16 points, four rebounds and two blocks. But the Lakers’ defense was non-existent on Sunday.
Davis held up his end of the bargain offensively as the Lakers leading scorer early on with 19 points in the first half. The Lakers had to adjust their offensive supply chain without James in the lineup and they struggled mightily without him. They failed to crack 35% from the 3-point line and they had just 18 assists compared to 31 for Denver.
Without LeBron, Kuzma had nine first-half points but the Lakers still found themselves down 55-53 at halftime. The Lakers outrebounded Denver 30-23 in the first half but they couldn’t maintain a lead for much of the night and Denver managed to close the game to 45-44 by the end of the game.
Also, treading water without LeBron James sounds about as easy as being deep water snorkeling with aqua sox. Hopefully for the Lakers, their excursion without James in the middle of the season won’t last for a long time.
Davis is also feeling banged up in addition to James. The best thing for the Lakers and James to hear is that they have two full days before welcoming Kawhi Leonard, Paul George and the Los Angeles Clippers on Christmas Day.
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