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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 07: Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the first half of a game against the New York Knicks at Staples Center on January 07, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images/AFP
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 07: Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the first half of a game against the New York Knicks at Staples Center on January 07, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images/AFP
Anthony Davis was under fire for his poor performances against the Portland Trailblazers in game one. Despite scoring 28 points, AD’s numbers were relatively slim.
He disappeared in the second half as the Blazers upset the number one seed Lakers. His play attracted criticism from every side, while LeBron James put up a historic stat line of his own (23-17-16).
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Anthony Davis tonight:
31 PTS
11 REB
13-21 FG
3-4 3P
in 29 MINSHe is the first Laker with a 30/10 playoff game in 30 minutes or fewer since 1975. pic.twitter.com/3syZzzuJAH
— StatMuse (@statmuse) August 21, 2020
The Lakers with a renewed thirst for vengeance blew the Blazers out by 23 points in a game where they took their starters out with a 30-point lead. The main architect of this win was Anthony Davis, who dropped an efficient set of 31 points. He also had 11 rebounds, and he did this all in less than 30 minutes of play-time.
AD became the first Laker since 1975 to have a game like this in the playoffs. The Los Angeles-based outfit has seen talented big-men like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Shaquille O’Neal, and Pau Gasol. However, none of them have enjoyed the kind of success that AD did while he was on the court.
Anthony Davis against the Portland Trailblazers
Anthony Davis was a dominant leader for the Lakers in this very important game two. They couldn’t afford to go down by two games to this dangerous Blazers team.
Lakers’ offense was painfully lacking in game one, but they had done a solid defensive job against the Blazers. They continued with the strong and smothering defense and made the shots they had to.
12 out of the 13 Lakers that played scored points today. Davis far and away led the team in scoring, with Kentavious Caldwell-Pope having the second-most points on the team with 16.
LeBron James, on the other hand, struggled a bit, barely putting up 10 points. However, he did notch 7 assists and 6 rebounds.
This is the Davis that everyone has been calling for. His inconsistency can be worrying, but this proves something we all already know. On the right day, Anthony Davis can be the best player on the court, even over LeBron James. He did so today and put up meaningful points in a crucial triumph over Portland.
All he needs is to have games like this with more consistency and the Lakers will reaffirm why they are one of the favorites to win the title.
