USA Today via Reuters
May 25, 2021; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James prior to game two against the Phoenix Suns during the first round of the 2021 NBA Playoffs at Phoenix Suns Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
May 25, 2021; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James prior to game two against the Phoenix Suns during the first round of the 2021 NBA Playoffs at Phoenix Suns Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
The Lakers looked every bit like the defending champions when they entered Phoenix Suns Arena for Game 2. They were aggressive, daunting, and unforgiving in their initial plays led by Anthony Davis and LeBron James.
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Tuesday night saw a rusty start from the #2 seed as the unit succumbed to five early turnovers in no time. This gave the Lakers an instant opportunity to bite the Suns, and that’s exactly what they did with a series of dunks. The Lake Show couldn’t have got a better start, and they took a six-point early lead after Q1.
USA Today via Reuters
May 25, 2021; Anthony Davis slam dunks the ball at Phoenix Suns Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
LeBron James completed a punishing alley-oop
The game had just begun when LeBron James opened his tally with a massive dunk after grabbing an easy steal. As Anthony Davis joined the party, it was a captivating dual performance on the go.
However, the highlight of Q1 became the moment when LeBron stole a bad pass from Devin Booker and sent it to Dennis Schroder. The 27-YO diverted the ball towards the safe hands of AD; a second later it turned into an alley-oop from Bron who went back running to the rim.
AD LOB TO LEBRON 🚨 pic.twitter.com/F4PhmYCJA3
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 26, 2021
Surprisingly, Frank Vogel had LeBron James play the initial quarter in its entirety, allowing AD a four-minute rest. But that seemed to have worked with Bron scoring 10 points at 66.7% accuracy by then.
Read more – Stephen A Smith Slams Lakers’ Anthony Davis For ‘Atrocious Performance’ Against Suns
Where did the Phoenix Suns fall short against the Lakers tonight?
Firstly, the Suns endured seven turnovers in the first quarter alone and that cost them transition points from the Lakers. Secondly, their bench leader in Dario Saric went for a pathetic show as he stayed scoreless with a -9 in +/-. Also, apart from Mikal Bridges, each of the five other Suns players missed their three-point attempt, making things worse. If not for Devin Booker and Cameron Payne’s last-minute FTs in Q1, the Lakers would’ve closed with a double-figure margin.
For the Lakers, apart from Kentavious Caldwell-Pope’s goof-ups, others seemed better off during the night. Andre Drummond showed a hint of a big night from both the ends as he neared a double-double.
Do you see a Lakers comeback after this game?
