The Los Angeles Lakers played against the Washington Wizards yesterday at the Visa Athletic Center in Orlando, FL. The Washington Wizards are the current ninth seed in the Eastern Conference and are trying to get a playoff spot at either the seventh or eighth seed. On the other hand, the Lakers are the top seed in the Western Conference and are set to play the current eighth seed Memphis Grizzlies in the NBA Playoffs.
The Lakers defeated the Wizards with a score of 123-116. Here’s a recap from the Wizards-Lakers game.
Just like their last game against the Orlando Magic, it was a close battle. There were six lead changes and five ties during this quarter alone. Lots of offense was produced by both teams, but the Lakers were able to pull away with the lead. They were relentless on defense causing seven Wizards turnovers. Lakers guards J.R. Smith and Dion Waiters also contributed to the Lakers’ lead offensively. Smith ended the quarter shooting 2-for-3 from the three-point line.
Los Angeles took the lead with a score of 38-35.
The matchup was still close with momentum shifts changing within the first three minutes. Smith again was outstanding from the three-point line going 2-for-2. However, the Lakers committed five turnovers while the Wizards only committed three. This is a situation they need to address before the season restart on Thursday.
Los Angeles kept the lead with a score of 69-65 heading into halftime.
The Lakers started the third quarter with a small ball lineup including DeVontae Cacok, Kostas Antetokounmpo and Talen Horton-Tucker from the Lakers’ G-League affiliate team, the South Bay Lakers. They were able to hold their own but the game was still up for grabs. The Lakers also went on an 8-0 run extending their lead to 10 with contributions from Alex Caruso, who scored all eight points. Los Angeles hit their stride on both ends of the floor, though Washington kept the score within nine points by the end of the quarter. As for Smith, he made another three-pointer which gave him 17 points heading into the fourth quarter.
Los Angeles led with a score of 106-95.
There were many missed shots throughout the quarter by both teams. However, the Wizards managed to go on a 7-0 run to cut the Lakers’ lead down by four. Also, the Lakers found themselves with four turnovers in the first four minutes. Washington made a late push in the final two minutes of the game. However, Waiters sealed the game once again with a reverse layup with 29 seconds left.
In conclusion, Los Angeles won the game with a score of 123-116. Lakers’ players LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Dwight Howard and Kyle Kuzma didn’t play due to various reasons. Howard has been dealing with sore knees, Kuzma tweaked his ankle last game against the Magic and Davis is still day-to-day after being poked in the eye.
Lakers’ head coach Frank Vogel gave James a rest day and wanted to evaluate their three young players.
The Lakers will rest several veterans for today’s game, including LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Kyle Kuzma and Dwight Howard.
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) July 27, 2020
Vogel said Howard has been dealing with knee soreness, and Kuzma had an ankle tweak last game, while he may have held Davis out anyway after he got poked in the eye last game.
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) July 27, 2020
Vogel said they want to use this opportunity to continue to evaluate their young guys like DeVontae Cacok, Kostas Antetokounmpo and Talen Horton-Tucker.
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) July 27, 2020
The Los Angeles Lakers are preparing to face their Los Angeles rival, the Los Angeles Clippers. This will be the Lakers’ first seeding game to determine what seed they’ll be in the NBA Playoffs. The Lakers and Clippers face each other on July 30.
Rui Hachimura: 19 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists
Jerome Robinson: 18 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block
Shabazz Napier: 16 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal
Ish Smith: 12 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 block
J.R. Smith: 20 points, 5 rebounds, 1 steal
Dion Waiters: 18 points, 3 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal
Alex Caruso: 17 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals
Quinn Cook: 12 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal
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