Anthony Davis is on his own level right now – perhaps even an MVP level.
The Lakers superstar exploded for 55 points – four short of his career-high – 17 rebounds and three blocks while shooting 22-of-30 from the field and 9-of-9 from the foul line to lead his team past the Washington Wizards 130 -119 on Monday (all times AEDT).
According to ESPN Stats and Info, he became the second player in NBA history with 55 points, 15 rebounds and three blocks in a game since blocks were first recorded in 1973-74, joining Kevin McHale, who did so in 1985.
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Davis also became the first Laker with consecutive 40-point games since Kobe Bryant in March 2013, per the Lakers’ official Twitter.
Over his last 10 games, Davis has averaged 34.2 points and 15.4 rebounds on 63 percent shooting from the field in a dominant stretch from the big man to respond to critics and even trade rumors in emphatic fashion.
His strong play has been crucial in turning around the Lakers’ season, with eight wins from their last 10 games to improve to 10-12 overall, now sitting 12th in the Western Conference behind a logjam of sides.
Davis was doing it all against Washington – from hitting mid rangers, huge dunks and even two three-pointers and proved unguardable at times.
It had the makings of a blowout early as LA raced out to a 68-40 lead by half-time behind 24 points and nine boards from Davis.
The visitors led by as much as 29 midway through the third term before Washington slowly clawed its way back into the game, meaning the starters played until the very end.
Kyle Kuzma scored 17 of his 26 points in the fourth to lead the Wizards comeback including a three-pointer to cut their deficit to 105-114 with six minutes left, but the home side ultimately didn’t get any closer for the rest of the game. .
Kuzma added seven rebounds, four assists and two steals and Kristaps Porzingis had 27 points and nine rebounds.
Meanwhile, Davis was supported by strong performances from LeBron James (29 points, eight rebounds, six assists) and Lonnie Walker (20 points), while Russell Westbrook posted 15 assists off the bench.
CELTICS END NETS’ WINNING STREAK
The Boston Celtics snapped the Brooklyn Nets’ four-game winning streak with a 103-92 win on the road behind a combined 63 points from Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum.
Brown (31 points, seven rebounds, five assists, two steals, two blocks) and Tatum (29 points, three triples, 11 boards, four steals) continued their dominant play this season to extend Boston’s NBA-best record to 19-5 as starting center Robert Williams (knee) nears his return in a scary prospect for the rest of the league.
It marked the Celtics’ eighth-straight overall win over the Nets, including last season’s playoff sweep.
Kevin Durant meanwhile posted 31 points, seven rebounds, five assists, two steals and two blocks for Brooklyn and Kyrie Irving had 18 points, eight rebounds and five assists, while Ben Simmons missed a third-straight game with a calf issue.
The Celtics got the early jump on the Nets to lead 35-27 at the end of the first term. Brooklyn mounted a comeback during the second term to get within one halfway through the period, but Boston extended its lead back out to 62-50 by half-time.
Jacque Vaughn’s team kept fighting to stay within striking distance, with a Durant three-pointer and a Joe Harris layup getting the Nets within two with 7:22 left in the fourth.
But Boston responded with a 6-0 run and didn’t let Brooklyn get any closer than six points for the rest of the game as Brown and Tatum helped the C’s close out a big road win.
ALL RESULTS
NUGGETS 106 PELICANS 121
SUNS 133 SPURS 95
CELTICS 103 NETS 92
GRIZZLIES 122 PISTONS 112
CAVALIERS 81 KNICKS 92
LAKERS 130 WIZARDS 119
BULLS 101 KINGS 110
PACERS – TRAIL BLAZERS
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