LeBron James' greatest games with the Lakers: Knocking out Rip City
In the first round of the 2020 NBA Playoffs, LeBron James turned in a triple-double to help the Lakers put away the Trail Blazers.
LeBron James, now a Lakers free agent, left an indelible mark on the franchise during his eight-year tenure. His performances were consistently impressive, even as signs of a decline in certain areas of his game became evident. One of his most notable achievements during that time was securing the NBA championship in 2020. We will examine James' greatest Lakers performances in chronological order, beginning with the first round of the 2020 NBA Playoffs against the Portland Trail Blazers. In this pivotal series, the Lakers sought to eliminate Portland and advance to the next round.
The series kicked off with a 100-93 loss for the Lakers in their opening game, raising doubts about their championship readiness. However, they quickly turned the tide by winning the next three games, taking a commanding 3-1 series lead. Portland's impressive talent proved challenging, particularly in Game 5, which saw the Trail Blazers outlast Los Angeles 68-68 at halftime.
James stepped up with 24 points in the first half, helping to maintain the Lakers' morale. The Trail Blazers' CJ McCollum and Carmelo Anthony were instrumental in the first half with 21 and 18 points respectively.
The Lakers bounced back strongly in the third quarter, extending their lead by 14 points as Anthony Davis contributed 20 points. Portland fought back valiantly, tying the game 109-all in the fourth quarter. Ultimately, Los Angeles emerged victorious 131-122, clinching the series and advancing to the next round. James' impressive performance was marked by his shooting accuracy, recording 14-of-19 field-goal attempts and four-of-seven three-point attempts for a total of 36 points.
He also showcased his versatility by grabbing 10 rebounds and dishing out 10 assists. Anthony Davis shone brightly with 43 points, nine rebounds, and four assists. The Lakers continued their impressive run by defeating the Houston Rockets, Denver Nuggets, and Miami Heat, ultimately securing the Larry O'Brien Trophy and claiming the NBA championship.
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