Forward of Sunday night time’s recreation in opposition to the Houston Rockets, LeBron James wasn’t motivated alone by Dillon Brooks’ insults in opposition to him.
The Los Angeles Lakers star took to Instagram on Saturday night time and wrote underneath a graph displaying he had 108 video games with not less than 30 factors since coming to Los Angeles in 2018: “However I solely got here right here to make motion pictures! Is not that what you mentioned proper!?!?
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James scored a season-high 37 factors, together with the go-ahead layup with 1.9 seconds left, to guide the Lakers to a 105-104 win over the Rockets on Sunday night time. That is James’ fifth 30-point recreation this season and his fourth in his final seven video games.
“Typically that you must remind individuals. That is what it was,” James mentioned when requested about his Instagram put up.
Alperen Sengun’s layup tied the sport with 4 seconds remaining when the Lakers known as timeout. Austin Reaves handed the ball to James, who was fouled by Tari Eason whereas driving inside. James missed the primary free throw however made the second.
Houston, which had no timeouts remaining, bought the ball to midcourt, however Brooks’ 3-point try was offline.
“I favored the way in which we battled and stored combating. We did not play sensible on the finish,” Rockets coach Emi Udoka mentioned.
James scored 13 factors within the fourth quarter to offer the Lakers their fifth win within the final six video games. Which is on average 26.4 factors, 8.2 rebounds and 6.5 assists per recreation this season.
Earlier within the recreation, the NBA’s all-time main scorer turned the fourth participant in league historical past with not less than 10,500 assists (he completed with eight on the night time and stands at 10,504). He additionally tied with Vince Carter for seventh on the 3-pointer checklist with 2,290, and handed Clyde Drexler for eighth on the steals checklist at 2,208.
“That is the LeBron we have all identified and cherished for 21 years,” Lakers coach Darvin Hamm mentioned.
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James and Brooks, who’ve had an ongoing rivalry since final season’s playoff collection between the Lakers and Memphis Grizzlies, placed on one other entertaining present.
James obtained a technical yellow card after shoving Brooks firstly of the third quarter, however then made a “very small” motion down the courtroom after scoring over Brooks late within the quarter.
“He is an excellent competitor. I really like going in opposition to him. He was completely nailing it tonight. He shot the ball very effectively and stored the staff within the recreation,” James mentioned.
Anthony Davis added 27 factors and 10 rebounds, however left the courtroom with 58 seconds left within the recreation. Reeves got here off the bench and scored 17 factors.
Brooks led the Rockets with 24 factors, together with six three-pointers, his highest this season, and Singon added 23 factors. Houston misplaced two factors in a row after 5 consecutive victories.
