The Los Angeles Lakers (9-7) are back with an impressive 113:97 win (BOXSCORE) against the Miami Heat (5-10) after their bankruptcy against the Magic. Especially against the outstanding LeBron James no herb has grown this evening.
For four years LeBron James stood in the heat jersey on the floor, during this period the King brought two championships to South Beach – the heat fans haven’t forgotten that. On his return to his old home, the King was greeted with warm applause from the fans in the American Arlines Arena.
James thanked us with an impressive show in the first minutes. LBJ started with 3 out of 3 from the field – including a crashing fast break slam – and led the Lakers to a fast 11:4 lead.
Even afterwards LeBron was simply unstoppable. Towards the end of the first run, he poured the Heat 10 points in a row, including two soft, but not very tight jumpers from Downtown. After 12 minutes LBJ had 19 points (8/10 FG) and LAL had a 34:21 lead.
But the Heat came back in the second section. Without the injured Goran Dragic (knee) and Dwyane Wade (paternity leave) Tyler Johnson and Josh Richardson jumped into the breach. Although the strong Lakers bench extended its lead to 18 points in the meantime, Miami was within striking distance again after a 15:2 run at the latest.
Against James the team of Head Coach Erik Spoelstra still didn’t find an answer. In the last four and a half minutes of the first half, LBJ scored 9 points and gave the guests a 67:52 half-time lead.
The same was true after the page change. Although the Heat started smaller runs every now and then, but on more than 9 points the hosts could not approach any more. In the end, LeBron was too strong, taking over the scepter in the important situations and initiating his own Lakers run. Towards the end of the third quarter, L.A.’s lead grew to 21 points.
Miami still didn’t admit defeat. The Heat fought self-sacrificingly, but always left good chances. On the other hand, the Lakers sunk important throws to get some air.
Meanwhile a little frustration spread over the Heat. After James Johnson, who made his season debut after a long injury break, complained about a not given foul whistle, he threw his shoe, which he had lost shortly before during an action, into the audience. Thereupon he was expelled from the field.
In the Cunchtime it was again LeBron who set the lid on the Lakers victory with two ice-cold jumpers. Thanks to LeBron, it didn’t get really tight in the final minutes. The King finished the game with 51 points (19/31 FG, 6/8 threes), 8 rebounds and 3 assists.
He received support above all from Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, who contributed 19 points from the bank. Kyle Kuzma also scored 15 points, while Moritz Wagner did not play this time after his NBA debut against the Magic.
On the Heat side, Wayne Ellington was the top scorer of his team (19), Tyler Johnson and Josh Richardson each contributed 17 points. Against the outstanding LeBron they could not prevent the fifth defeat from the past six games.
Miami Heat (6-10) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (9-7) 97:113 (BOXSCORE)
LeBron James. From the very first second, the King delivered a spectacular show for his former fans in Miami. He refined his 51 points with some crashing dunks, ice-cold threes from the parking lot or inimitable fade-away jumpers. Also in Crunchtime he was there for the Lakers.
Hassan Whiteside. There was absolutely nothing to be seen of dominance against the Lakers’ relatively thin center position at Whiteside. Instead, the 29-year-old remains extremely pale throughout the game. His 6 points and 7 rebounds at 2 out of 9 from the field were far too few.
The fast playing style of the Lakers should have gotten around in the league by now. Also against Miami L.A. pressed continuously on the tempo, especially after opposing Turnover. Thus the guests made it possible for themselves to conclude easy contracts again and again, LeBron and Co. came on a total of 17 Fastbreak-Points – Miami however only on 5.