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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Erik García Gundersen

LeBron James finishes tip slam over Pelicans Nicolo Melli in big 3rd quarter

The Los Angeles Lakers started off slow through the first two and a half quarters of Friday night’s ESPN showdown against Zion Williamson and the New Orleans Pelicans, but from the middle of the second quarter on, it was all Lakers as the defense turned into offense. However, the biggest play of the game, or at least the most memorable one from LeBron James during the Lakers run of dominance in the middle of the game, came on from hitting the offensive glass.

During the third quarter of Friday’s game, which was a 27-16 domination by the Lakers after trailing by one at halftime. The Pelicans led by as many as 15 in the first half before the Lakers took control, punctuated by LeBron’s emphatic slam on Melli following a Kyle Kuzma miss.

Unfortunately for Melli, he didn’t box out and his attempt to get the rebound was moot as the King came soaring in. Even at 36 years old, James is still making some of the best plays at the rim we see on a nightly basis. The Lakers lead 84-74 after the third quarter.

 

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