Strong fourth quarter carries Lakers past Embiid-less 76ers
LOS ANGELES >> If there's reason to be optimistic about the Lakers' chances in a playoff setting, their 5-3 stretch from Feb. 25-March 10, one of their toughest stretches from a quality of opponent perspective, is something to point to.
But if there's a reason to be more pessimistic about their postseason outlook, and their ability to even make it to the playoffs, it's how they've handled games against teams closer to them in the league's overall standings.
Friday's 101-94 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers at Crypto.com Arena was just the latest example.
The Lakers (38-32) pulled off their 14th victory of their last 21 games, but they squeaked by a team of 76ers (38-32) that's been without reigning MVP Joel Embiid (left knee) since early February and has struggled in his absence, going 9-15 since he's been sidelined.
After a quiet first three quarters, including struggling with turnovers (seven), LeBron James (20 points, eight rebounds and six assists) stepped up in the fourth, a quarter in which he scored 11 of his point total. His 3-pointer with 2:11 left gave the Lakers a 96-87 lead, their largest advantage of the night.
Anthony Davis took advantage of the 76ers' lack of interior size, finishing with 23 points, 19 rebounds, four assists and four blocks.
Davis blocked shots by Tyrese Maxey (27 points) and Kyle Lowry in the final two minutes to help preserve the Lakers' late lead.
All five starters (Rui Hachimura: 14 points; D'Angelo Russell: 14 points, five rebounds, three assists; Austin Reaves: 12 points,
THE SCORE LAKERS 101, 76ERS 94 Pacers at Lakers, Sunday, 7 p.m., SPSN
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But even with the individual bright spots, the Lakers
once again didn't display the focus against the 76ers that they do against the league's top teams.
Their 21 turnovers, which led to 27 Philadelphia points, fueled the 76ers in transition (20 fastbreak points allowed).
But the Lakers' stout defense, which held the 76ers to 34.4% shooting, led them to victory.
The Lakers entered Friday 6-15 against opponents with a season-long point differential in the middle 10 compared to the rest of the league – 26th in the league and the worst among all teams with a winning record on the season, according to Cleaning The Glass.
Their minus-4.9 point differential in those matchups ranked 23rd, making them the only team with a winning record in the bottom 10.