ANGELES, CA Halfway through the third quarter, a low hum permeated the stadium, more like to what you might hear at a fairly busy bus station than during an NBA title contender’s home opening. You can’t hold people responsible for their reactions to what they are seeing after a certain point. However, as the game’s clock was getting close to its end, the Lakers’ home arena erupted as the club mounted a turnover-fueled comeback to secure its first victory of the year. With the score tied, LeBron James drove to the hoop and scored, staring down the Suns defense. Then he repeated it after gaining one possession.
The hoops gave the game energy and ultimately resulted in a 100-95 victory.The Lakers struggled in their first game this season in Los Angeles. The Lakers appeared to be a gang of basketball strangers after portraying their offseason as one in which they could pick up where they left off. Any semblance of identity persisted for a possession or two before vanishing. However, the Suns’ poor shooting and seven turnovers in the fourth quarter alone allowed the Lakers to overcome a 12-point lead. Kevin Durant scored 37 points to lead the Suns.
James added 21 points, while Anthony Davis scored 30, including 13 in the fourth. James played 35 minutes, five more than the Lakers’ coaches and medical staff had unofficially decided upon before the season began. While the Lakers’ first-night defeat in Denver was attributed to the Nuggets’ unity, other concerning factors, including as effort and toughness, almost caused the Lakers to lose game.
Phoenix swiftly pulled away with a dozen points off of offensive rebounds, killing the Lakers on the glass. Even with Durant off to a rocky start, the Suns managed to withstand the Lakers’ persistent poor outside shooting while Devin Booker and Bradley Beal, both sidelined with injury, struggled. The Lakers defense didn’t start to generate enough momentum to go on a run until the fourth quarter, when it started to get enough consecutive stops led by Christian Wood and Gabe Vincent. against Sunday, the Lakers take against the Kings in Sacramento once more.
