A similar theme of this homestand played out for the Lakers as they hosted the Detroit Pistons - a big lead evaporating to give rise to a competitive fourth quarter.
In their contest against the Pistons, the fourth of a five-game homestand, the Lakers led by a margin of 10-13 points multiple times in the first half, but couldn't extend it to a dominating margin.
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Instead, they allowed the Pistons to stay in the game, and play out a competitive fourth quarter to earn their fifth straight win and improve to a conference-best record of 29-7.
Here are the key takeaways from today's game:
Lakers' block party
The Lakers recorded 20 blocks in this game - a season-high and one-off their franchise record of 21, that was set in April of 1982.
The tally, en route to being the highest recorded by any team this season, is the first time any NBA team has recorded 20 blocks in nearly 19 years.
The Lakers had 20 blocks tonight.
— StatMuse (@statmuse) January 6, 2020
The most in Lakers history since 1982.
The most by any team in the NBA since 2001.
AD had 8, Javale had 6, Dwight had 5. pic.twitter.com/csdEBF36VN
Avery Bradley was the only other player to record a swat for the Lakers.
The @Lakers combine for an NBA season-high 20 blocks.@AntDavis23: 8 BLK@JaValeMcGee: 6 BLK@DwightHoward: 5 BLK pic.twitter.com/ZRFowsWPC5
— NBA (@NBA) January 6, 2020
Lakers win game of runs in competitive fourth
After trailing by double digits for most of the game, the Pistons made a run in the third quarter. They outscored the Lakers 32-19 for the period and took their first lead of the game (76-74) with 1:22 left.
Double triples! #PistonsNow powered by @RocketFiber pic.twitter.com/dLdmLXfT2S
— Detroit Pistons (@DetroitPistons) January 6, 2020
By the end of the third, the Pistons were leading with their biggest margin of five points. Then, the Lakers blew it open with 15-0 run to start the fourth and a 16-0 run overall:
Alex Caruso's transition slam highlights a 16-0 @Lakers run. pic.twitter.com/ncg6t65dEv
— NBA (@NBA) January 6, 2020
But the Pistons never gave in and kept coming back. They responded with a 13-2 run over the next 2:40 minutes to tie things up at 92-92. The Lakers then ran away with the game with a 14-7 run over the last 3:40 minutes of the game.
Stars shine for both teams
LeBron James recorded his 9th triple-double of the season. He finished with 21 points, 14 rebounds, 11 assists, and was a team-high +23 in 35 minutes on the floor.
AD is at +196 for the season, in case anyone's wondering.
— StatMuse (@statmuse) January 6, 2020
But he wasn't alone, as Davis filled the stat sheet with 24 points, 11 rebounds, 8 blocks, 3 steals, and two assists in his 38 minutes. His stat line put him alongside some elite company:
Lakers player with 24+ PTS, 11+ REB, 8+ BLK in a game since 1982:
— StatMuse (@statmuse) January 6, 2020
- AD tonight
- Shaq
- Kareem pic.twitter.com/AzmFqyJ2kA
For the Pistons, Derrick Rose continued his good run. Playing 29 minutes, he finished with 28 points and five assists including a perfect 10-of-10 from the free-throw line. The game is Rose's fourth 20+ point game in the last five.
Status of Avery Bradley
In the second quarter, Lakers had two guards - Avery Bradley and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope - head to the locker room with ankle sprains.
While Caldwell-Pope returned to the game, Bradley was ruled out after his X-rays came out negative.
Avery Bradley is out for the game with a right ankle sprain. X-rays on the ankle were negative.
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) January 6, 2020
Postgame, Lakers' head coach Frank Vogel mentioned that Bradley felt he could return but he was limping pretty significantly and was thus ruled out. The team will announce his status based on how he feels tomorrow.
