The Los Angeles Lakers got back into the win column in Friday night’s game against the Chicago Bulls, but it was anything but easy, as the Bulls hung around all night long as the Lakers escaped with a 117-115 victory without Anthony Davis. Chicago’s Zach LaVine went off in the loss, scoring a game-high 38 points, 22 of which came in the first quarter.
LeBron James led the Lakers with 28 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists, including a huge layup over Chicago’s Patrick Williams, which gave the Lakers a 116-112 lead with 46.5 seconds left. The battle with James and Williams was going on all night long as Chicago gave the No. 4 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft the assignment of guarding LeBron from the opening tip until the game’s deciding play. Williams made James earn everything, including the tough finish that gave the Lakers a lead they would not relinquish.
Not to be denied. #LakersWin pic.twitter.com/Ph7oo3a3XI
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) January 9, 2021
While it is very early, LeBron added a nice little moment to his MVP portfolio for the season, helping the Lakers hold off a scrappy Bulls team while Anthony Davis was injured. James appeared to tweak his left ankle, which has had him on the injury report in recent days, but one would expect him to continue to keep suiting up for the Lakers, who are now alone in first place in the Western Conference at 7-3 following Phoenix’s loss to the Detroit Pistons on Friday night.
