Las Vegas Review-Journal (Sunday)
Revival lifts Lakers to winning season
Trade deadline reset big catalyst in change
LOS ANGELES — Near the end of what he once referred to as the most important regular-season stretch of his career, Lebron James was able to briefly savor one thing many thought was going to be near impossible after 12 games.
The Los Angeles Lakers will have a winning record in the regular season.
The Lakers defeated the Phoenix Suns 121-107 on Friday night for their 42nd win to guarantee a finish over .500. That was only a dream in early November when Los Angeles stumbled out of the gates with a 2-10 record.
“I was just telling AD (Anthony Davis), ‘Can you believe we’re going to finish this season above .500 after everything that has gone on this season?’ We turned this thing around in the regular season,” James said.
According to Sportradar, the Lakers (42-39) are only the fourth team since 1981 to start 2-10 or worse and finish with a winning record. The New Jersey Nets did it twice (198182, 2004-05) while the Chicago Bulls beat the odds in 2004-05.
Los Angeles was able to accomplish its turnaround despite James and Davis being in the same lineup for only 35 games.
James missed 27 games, including a four-week stretch from late February to late March because of right foot soreness.
Davis was out for 26 games, mostly because of a right foot stress injury.
The Lakers have won five of their last seven since James returned to the lineup on March 26.
“We are playing extremely well. The guys did an unbelievable job when I was out. The games that I played (since returning), I just try to do my part,” James said.
The biggest catalyst to the turnaround was the trade deadline, when the Lakers reset their roster. They acquired guards D’angelo Russell and Malik Beasley, forward Jarred Vanderbilt and center Mo Bamba, along with trading Russell Westbrook.
The Lakers’ 17-9 record since the Feb. 9 trade deadline is the second-best mark in the Western Conference.
“It’s been a real good group. There’s a lot at stake and on the line that we have no choice but to improve,” Davis said. “Our practice has been games and we’ve been able to figure out things on the fly.”
Austin Reaves also has emerged as an integral player, averaging 17.8 points since the All-star break.
The Lakers’ main goal going into Sunday’s regular-season finale against the Utah Jazz is trying to get into the top six and avoid the play-in tournament. They are seventh in the West and could finish as high as fifth or as low as ninth.
Coach Darvin Ham’s main priority is trying to make sure his team gets some rest during what has been a late-season grind. Sunday’s game will be their fourth in six days, with the possibility of a play-in game on Tuesday or Wednesday.
“We have to do what we need to do to make sure we have the proper energy, the proper rest, care, making sure we’re taking care of our guys and their physical issues,” Ham said.