Anthony Davis, Lakers squeak by Embiid-less 76ers
Lakers guard Austin Reaves, left, is fouled by Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul Reed during the first half on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Lakers forward LeBron James (23) is pressured by Philadelphia 76ers guard Kelly Oubre Jr. (9) and forward Nicolas Batum (40) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, March 22, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Lakers forward LeBron James (23) celebrates his dunk against the Philadelphia 76ers during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, March 22, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Lakers forward Rui Hachimura (28) is defended by Philadelphia 76ers guard Kelly Oubre Jr. (9) and guard Kyle Lowry (7) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, March 22, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell passes the ball during the first half of the team’s NBA basketball game against the Philadelphia 76ers Friday, March 22, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Lakers center Jaxson Hayes (11) and guard D’Angelo Russell (1) celebrate a dunk by LeBron James against the Philadelphia 76ers during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, March 22, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Lakers star Anthony Davis (3) goes up for a basket past Philadelphia 76ers’ Paul Reed (44) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, March 22, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
The Lakers’ LeBron James (23) and guard D’Angelo Russell (1) celebrate a dunk by James against the Philadelphia 76ers during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, March 22, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Philadelphia 76ers forward Tobias Harris (12) defends against Lakers forward LeBron James (23) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, March 22, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Lakers guard Austin Reaves dribbles during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Philadelphia 76ers Friday, March 22, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Lakers forward Anthony Davis (3) looks at Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul Reed (44) after making a 3-point basket during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, March 22, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Philadelphia 76ers guard Buddy Hield (17) makes his way down the court after making a 3-point basket against the Lakers during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, March 22, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Lakers forward Rui Hachimura (28) is defended by Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey (0) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, March 22, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Lakers forward Anthony Davis dribbles during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Philadelphia 76ers Friday, March 22, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Lakers forward Anthony Davis, center, and Philadelphia 76ers forward Tobias Harris, left, vie for a rebound during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, March 22, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Lakers forward LeBron James, center, shoots against Philadelphia 76ers guard Kelly Oubre Jr., right, and forward Paul Reed during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, March 22, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) grabs the ball in front of Philadelphia 76ers forward Tobias Harris (12) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Friday, March 22, 2024, in Los Angeles. The Lakers won 101-94. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Lakers forward Cam Reddish, top, fouls Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey during the second half of an NBA basketball game Friday, March 22, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Philadelphia 76ers guard Kelly Oubre Jr. (9) shoots over Lakers forward LeBron James during the second half of an NBA basketball game Friday, March 22, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Philadelphia 76ers guard Cameron Payne (22) fouls Lakers forward LeBron James (23) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Friday, March 22, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey (0) has his shot blocked by Lakers forward Anthony Davis during the second half of an NBA basketball game Friday, March 22, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Lakers forward LeBron James (23) celebrates his dunk against the Philadelphia 76ers during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, March 22, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey brings the ball up during the second half of the team’s NBA basketball game against the Lakers Friday, March 22, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Lakers forward Cam Reddish, top, fouls Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey during the second half of an NBA basketball game Friday, March 22, 2024, in Los Angeles. The Lakers won 101-94. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Lakers star LeBron James grabs the ball during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Philadelphia 76ers Friday, March 22, 2024, in Los Angeles.(AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Lakers star Anthony Davis celebrates after making a basket during the first half of their game against the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. Davis had 23 points, 19 rebounds, four assists and four blocked shots in a 101-94 win. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Lakers forward Rui Hachimura (28) has his shot blocked by Philadelphia 76ers center Mo Bamba (5) as Lakers’ Anthony Davis, left, watches during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, March 22, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell passes the ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Philadelphia 76ers Friday, March 22, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Lakers forward Anthony Davis (3) and Philadelphia 76ers center Mo Bamba (5) vie for a rebound during the second half of an NBA basketball game Friday, March 22, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Philadelphia 76ers Kelly Oubre Jr. walks on the court during the second half of the team’s NBA basketball game against the Lakers on Friday, March 22, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Lakers stars LeBron James, left, talks with Anthony Davis before the team’s NBA basketball game against the Philadelphia 76ers Friday, March 22, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Lakers star LeBron James points toward the crowd during warmups for the team’s NBA basketball game against the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday, March 22, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Lakers star Anthony Davis shares a light moment with teammates during warmups before the team’s NBA basketball game against the Philadelphia 76ers Friday, March 22, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Lakers star LeBron James smiles during warmups before the team’s NBA basketball game against the Philadelphia 76ers Friday, March 22, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
The Lakers’ LeBron James, left, Anthony Davis, center, and Austin Reaves sit on the bench before the team’s NBA basketball game against the Philadelphia 76ers Friday, March 22, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Lakers forward Rui Hachimura, left, is greeted by teammate LeBron James as he is introduced before the team’s NBA basketball game against the Philadelphia 76ers Friday, March 22, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Lakers star LeBron James is introduced for the team’s NBA basketball game against the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday, March 22, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Lakers forward Rui Hachimura walks on the court before the team’s NBA basketball game against the Philadelphia 76ers Friday, March 22, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
LOS ANGELES — If there’s reason to be optimistic about the Lakers 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 into a first-round series, it’s how they’ve handled games against teams closer to them in the league’s overall standings.
The latest example was Friday night’s 101-94 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers at Crypto.com Arena. Neither team led by double digits all night, and the Lakers committed 21 turnovers during their lowest scoring performance since Jan. 3.
“Ugly, but we got the job done,” said LeBron James, who scored 11 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter. “We defended (well) in the second half. They only had 18 (points) in the fourth. That’s big-time when the offense was struggling like it was. … We turned the ball over way too much and gave up too easy baskets, but when we got in the half-court, we buckled down and made them take tough shots.”
Coach Darvin Ham echoed that after his team hung on for its seventh win in 11 games after having three days off since beating Atlanta on Monday.
“A lot of things are gonna happen in an NBA basketball game,” Ham said. “The one thing you can’t do is have self-inflicted wounds where you’re disappointed because you didn’t get a whistle. Or you’re turning the ball over. There’s a difference between just unforced errors and competitive turnovers.
“But our group buckled down. Guys became vocal on the sideline, which was great. The dialogue, we’ve been preaching that all year, and it’s really been at a high level here lately.”
The Lakers (38-32) pulled off their 14th victory in their last 21 games, but they squeaked by a 76ers team (38-32) that has been without reigning league 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 (eight rebounds and six assists) stepped up in the fourth. Neither team led by more than seven points until his 3-pointer with 2:11 left gave the Lakers a 96-87 lead.
Anthony Davis took advantage of the 76ers’ lack of interior size, finishing with 23 points, 19 rebounds, four assists and four blocked shots as the Lakers snapped a seven-game losing streak in their matchups with the Sixers. The Lakers hadn’t beaten Philadelphia since March 3, 2020.
Davis (who scored nine of his points in the fourth) blocked Tyrese Maxey (27 points) and Kyle Lowry in the final two minutes to help preserve the Lakers’ late lead.
“Obviously, the three-day rest, guys didn’t have their legs and rhythm was off,” James said. “Our turnovers were up a lot more than we’re accustomed over the last few weeks. So, but we got the job done.”
All five Lakers starters scored in double figures. Rui Hachimura had 14 points and seven rebounds, D’Angelo Russell had 14 points, five rebounds and three assists and Austin Reaves had 14 points, six rebounds and five assists.
Russell’s four 3-pointers put him at 187 for the season, breaking his tie with Nick Van Exel for the single-season franchise record (183).
“It just feels good to be a part of one of these type of deals,” Russell said. “And this franchise is one of the most prestigious. So to have my name be a part of it, more than grateful, blessed beyond measure. Just want to keep continuing to shatter it if I can and make it really hard for the next person.”
Spencer Dinwiddie made three 3-pointers and contributed 11 points off the bench, the most he’s scored since joining his hometown team last month.
“They found me for a couple of good threes,” Dinwiddie said. “I was fortunate enough to make them, and that was kind of the exchange for that play.”
But even with the individual bright spots, the Lakers once again didn’t display the focus against the 76ers that they often do against the league’s top teams.
Their 21 turnovers, which led to 27 Philadelphia points, fueled the 76ers in transition (20 fast-break 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 among the bottom 10.
PRINCE OUTLakers swingman Taurean Prince missed the game for personal reasons. Ham noted after the game that he expects Prince back for Sunday night’s home game against Indiana.
Anthony Davis (23pts, 19reb) spoke with @LakersReporter following his performance against the Sixers. pic.twitter.com/fTZm0hhFlQ
— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) March 23, 2024
LeBron with authority! ???? pic.twitter.com/cDzMULjVlX
— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) March 23, 2024
LEBRON. JAMES. ???? pic.twitter.com/igVULRp8sh
— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) March 23, 2024
AD finishes through contact to extend the Lakers' lead down the stretch in the 4Q! ????
Sixers-Lakers | Live on NBA TV ???? https://t.co/x637D1uIRR pic.twitter.com/NvPYLnBSS6
— NBA (@NBA) March 23, 2024
LBJ from DEEP ????
LeBron has 10 of his 19 PTS in the 4Q as the Lakers lead!
Sixers-Lakers | Live on NBA TV ???? https://t.co/x637D1uIRR pic.twitter.com/IG8yqqKSP2
— NBA (@NBA) March 23, 2024
D'Angelo Russell: "This franchise is one of the most prestigious, so to have my name just to be a part of it, I'm more than grateful." pic.twitter.com/UqOGxJizC6
— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) March 23, 2024
Darvin Ham discusses his takeaways from tonight's win and says the team expects Taurean Prince back on Sunday. pic.twitter.com/Vyh9cDBkeJ
— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) March 23, 2024
