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Los Angeles Lakers

LeBron James takes center stage as he becomes the focal point of the narrative during the final home game of the series for the Clippers, making the Lakers the primary storyline.

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In a dramatic turn of events, the Los Angeles Clippers, enjoying a 19-point lead with one quarter to go in their final home game at Crypto.com Arena, witnessed a historic comeback led by LeBron James and the Lakers. The Lakers secured a remarkable 116-112 victory, marking the franchise’s largest fourth-quarter deficit overcome since April 4, 2003.

The Clippers seemed poised for a blowout victory, holding a 21-point lead towards the end of the third quarter. However, the Lakers mounted an impressive 29-8 run within seven minutes, spearheaded by LeBron James, who outscored the entire Clippers team 19-16 in the fourth quarter alone. This marked the 16th time LeBron has achieved this feat and the third time in a Lakers uniform.

LeBron’s late-game heroics included sinking five three-pointers in the final quarter, contributing to his total of 34 points, eight assists, six rebounds, and two blocks. The NBA’s all-time leading scorer is now a mere 40 points away from reaching 40,000 regular season points.

The game began with both teams struggling with poor shooting, combining for 6-of-33 from beyond the arc in the first half. Despite this, the Clippers dominated the game through the first three quarters, with Kawhi Leonard and James Harden leading the charge.

The momentum shifted in the Lakers’ favor during the final quarter, outscoring the Clippers 39-16. Late-game shooting played a crucial role, as the Clippers went 1-for-7 from three-point range, while the Lakers shot 9-for-14 from beyond the arc.

Coach Darvin Ham credited the historic comeback to halftime adjustments, emphasizing aggressiveness, resistance, and improved defensive efforts. The Lakers’ starting five combined for 102 points on 57% shooting, with Anthony Davis contributing 20 points and making key defensive plays.

LeBron’s late-game dominance prompted Coach Ham to praise his playmaking skills and shooting abilities. The Lakers forced seven turnovers in the final quarter, with Davis highlighting the importance of defensive stops for the comeback.

Key moments included LeBron’s crucial assists to Rui Hachimura and D’Angelo Russell, sealing the Lakers’ win in the battle for the LA season series, 3-1. The Lakers now hold a 32-28 record, claiming the ninth seed in the Western Conference, while the Clippers remain at the fourth seed with a 37-20 record.

Looking ahead, Coach Ham emphasized the need to build on the momentum for future games, acknowledging the challenging upcoming schedule. The Lakers will face formidable opponents in March, including the Nuggets, Thunder, Bucks, Timberwolves, Warriors, 76ers, and Pacers.

LeBron acknowledged the team’s current standing in the standings and emphasized the importance of health. While the team welcomes the return of Cam Reddish, injuries to key players like Jarred Vanderbilt and Christian Wood pose challenges.

Despite the obstacles, the Lakers’ victory against the Clippers serves as a positive step, providing hope for a playoff push if the team can maintain its health down the home stretch of the season.

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