On December 20, Beijing time, the Bulls played against the Lakers, Lakers coach Vogel was absent, Davis was also absent due to injury, and James and Wei Shao led the team to play. The Lakers reversed the score in the second half, but unfortunately the Lakers finally lost the game 110-115, losing by 5 points. James cut 31 points, 14 boards, 6 assists and 2 blocks, Westbrook got 20 points, 9 boards and 8 assists, and Anthony also got 21 points and 5 boards, but unfortunately lost. DeRozan scored 38 points, this time to avenge James.
Thomas Jr. and Westbrook started the game, the Lakers started behind, James scored on a layup, DeRozan scored consecutive points, Westbrook scored in response, and Thomas Jr. also hit a three-pointer. Thomas Jr. also scored a layup behind, but James was in too bad shape, Anthony chased some points, Anderson finally broke through to score, and the Lakers still trailed by 6 points. Westbrook continued to layup in the second quarter, James also dunked, quickly equalized, and even Ariza hit a three-pointer. After the Bulls scored, Thomas Jr. responded with three points, but the Bulls fired more fiercely, and Caruso performed eye-catching. Anthony three-pointer + mid-shot to stop the bleeding, James also cut in the air, and then also assisted Wei Shao's empty cut score, Thomas Jr. was a three-point shot, after DeRozan free throw, James broke through the score, trailing by 2 points at halftime.
James and Westbrook played a number of times to cooperate, assisting each other to score, and these combinations are really good. The Lakers put up a 5-small lineup in the third quarter, and Anthony started. DeRozan scored 2+1, James scored on the free throw, then broke through to the basket, and after Thomas threw the shot, the Lakers rebounded the score, and then Thomas Jr. also scored a basket. After Caruso hit a three-point shot, James cut a dunk and Anthony hit a three-pointer. After Vucevic scored, James hit a three-pointer and then broke through to score. Caruso led the team to chase points, Westbrook broke through the pull bar to score, Rondo made 1 of the last 2 free throws, and the Lakers barely surpassed 1 point.
Without Davis, I can't imagine that the Lakers can still play like this, which is really rare. James came up 2+1 in the fourth quarter, DeRozan scored, and Rondo assisted Jordan Jr. to make it 2+1. DeRozan responded 2+1, and after Rondo broke through, DeRozan continued to score. After he hit a shot, the Bulls rebounded by one point. The two teams were tightly matched, and after the Bulls led by four points, James broke through and Anthony hit a three-pointer to back the top. After DeRozan scored, Westbrook scored in response. Vucevic scored and James scored on a free throw. After the Bulls scored four straight points, James hit 2 free throws. The two teams exchanged free throws, Westbrook hit, James blocked Gadrozan, but DeRozan went on to score. The Lakers key to the dud and finally lost the game.
The Lakers were not very optimistic before the game, after all, Davis was injured, the Bulls were so strong in the new season, and the Lakers were likely to be blown up. However, James and others did not agree, and James swept away the previous downturn and finally broke out again. After Davis is gone, James can let go of the play, and then break through the basket many times to score. James and Wei Shao's chemistry is good, the two have sent each other assists many times, Wei Shao played well, and now Wei Shao plays a lot calmer. And the most surprising thing is that Thomas Jr. also played well, it is his score, the Lakers only completed the rebound, plus Anthony, the Lakers this lineup firepower is not bad.
And the Lakers' current inner line is indeed a loss, little Jordan this time is broken, and it is precisely because of this that the Lakers have changed behind and become a small lineup. Fitzdale, as the interim head coach, did a good job and the change effect was also very good. The Lakers center is not good, then you can only play a small lineup, and their small lineup is still good. But unfortunately, they were still a little bit worse in the end, and it was a pity to lose this game.