LeBron James: Lakers Are Aware of the Risks Associated with the In-Season Tournament.
On Friday night, the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Portland Trail Blazers away from home, raising their season record to 7-6.
More significantly, though, the Lakers’ victory improved their record to 3-0 in the NBA’s In-Season Tournament group stage. With a plus-42 point difference, the Lakers lead all NBA teams in the tournament thus far.
They are just one victory away from securing Group A and maybe the top spot in the Western Conference.
It was LeBron James leading the way for L.A. in the win in Portland as he turned back to clock to the tune of 35 points, five rebounds, nine assists and two steals on 13-of-22 shooting.
He has played in countless important games in his life so it’s not surprising to see him step up his level of play in the In-Season Tournament.
The Lakers are 3-0 in the tournament and 4-6 in all other games. It seems that they have an extra level of focus during the In-Season Tournament and James explained why, via Dave McMenamin of ESPN:
“I think it’s an incentive, for sure, early in the season when you’re playing in the In-Season Tournament.
We understand what’s at stake.
That’s not saying we’re putting all our eggs in one basket in the In-Season Tournament, but we know when the games come on Tuesday and Friday, we know what it’s about. We know what’s at stake so it’s been good to us so far.
Even though the In-Season Tournament isn’t the same as the actual NBA Championship, there is definitely more at stake than a regular season game.
If the Lakers are able to go all the way then not only do they get to say they’re the first-ever winners of the NBA Cup, but there also is a financial aspect involved that seems to be motivating the Lakers.
The Lakers are set to host the Utah Jazz on Tuesday in their final game of the group stage.
They can clinch their group with a win but also have a chance to advance to the knockout stages with a loss depending on point differential.
LeBron James meets Esteban Ocon and Charles Leclerc, two Formula 1 drivers.
The Lakers and Trail Blazers met for the second time this season on Friday night after Los Angeles defeated Portland on Sunday.
James was at the game even though he wasn’t playing, and he had the opportunity to meet Formula 1 drivers Esteban Ocon and Charles Leclerc, who gave the Lakers star a nice racing helmet.
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