The biggest comeback of the season was pulled off by the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday against the Dallas Mavericks after they fell behind by 27 points.
The Lakers were down 48-21 early in the second quarter before rallying to win 111-108, their third straight victory and biggest comeback since 2002.
trade deadline purchase In the victory over the Golden State Warriors on Thursday, Malik Beasley made his entrance known with a 25-point outburst, and this time, Jarred Vanderbilt proved why he has earned a spot in the Lakers’ starting lineup.
The rangy six-foot-eight defensive menace was everywhere, working as the primary defender on Luka Doncic on his way to 15 points (six-of-eight shooting), 17 rebounds (eight offensive) and four steals in his 27 minutes.
Anthony Davis was the star of the show on the offensive end, scoring a game-high 30 points on 12-of-20 shooting with 15 rebounds and four assists, and the league’s active leader for career blocked shots per game swatted away three Maverick attempts.
LeBron James had an injury scare, and while he is still not out of the woods, he stayed in the game and put up 26 points on 10-of-23 shooting with eight rebounds.
For the Mavericks, Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving shot a combined 18-of-44 (40 per cent) from the field for 47 points, while the other three members of the starting line-up combined for 18 points.
With the win, the Lakers improved their record to 29-32 and now sit just one game out of the Play-In Tournament placings, while they are also just 2.5 games away from the Mavericks in the sixth seed.
J Vando is EVERYWHERE right now pic.twitter.com/tOqt708paR
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) February 26, 2023
Damian Lillard matched Donovan Mitchell’s season-best 71 points as he scored 13 three-pointers in the Portland Trail Blazers’ 131-114 win over the Houston Rockets.
The Blazers guard’s 71-point mark was both a franchise and career high, topping his previous record of 61.
Lillard had 41 points with eight triples by half-time, the most points of any player in a half this season. He shot 13-of-22 from beyond the arc for the game, having a perfect 14-of-14 from the line.
Damian Lillard (& team 😂) post 71 pts interview @brookeolzendam pic.twitter.com/1ADvsyShVY
— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) February 27, 2023
Klay stays hot
After 42 points and 12 three-pointers on Friday’s win, Klay Thompson led the Golden State Warriors to a 109-104 home win against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The future Hall of Fame sharpshooter hit another six threes on his way to a team-high 32 points, shooting 12-of-23 from the field and six-of-14 from deep. Donte DiVincenzo was strong in a supporting role, chipping in 21 points (seven-of-13 shooting), eight rebounds, five assists and four steals.
After shooting a red-hot 43.1 per cent on a gaudy 11.6 three-point attempts per game in the month of January, Thompson has elevated even further this month, getting up 12.1 attempts per game and connecting at 45.9 per cent.
Klay's best moments from tonight's dub 👀 ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/sPoEoPGEa7
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) February 27, 2023