Skip Bayless calls LA Lakers winning against Miami Heat without LeBron James and Anthony Davis as "biggest shocker of the year"
Skipp Bayless claimed that the LA Lakers' win against the Miami Heat without their star players was the biggest shocker of the year thus far.
The LA Lakers were without their prime players in the form of LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Lonnie Walker, who has been their third most prolific scorer this season, also ended up missing the game. However, Dennis Schroder produced a massive performance, scoring 32 points and 4 rebounds while Russell Westbrook also found form. Westbrook had 21 points, 9 assists and 8 rebounds off the bench as the Lakers won against a team that had beaten them just around a week ago.
Thomas Bryant was also phenomenal, scoring 21 points and 9 rebounds as the Lakers ran 112-109 for a win. Skip Bayless was left impressed, claiming that Schroder in particular was inspirational. The Miami Heat tried to hit back towards the end but Schroder ended up deciding the game on his own. Bayless said the following:
“This was the biggest shocker of the year. In some ways this was the best game Lakers have played start to finish, without one or the other. But you are also without Lonnie Walker. That’s a lot of points, a lot of just pure talent that you don’t have. But what stung me last night was I saw a supporting cast that could make you better than LeBron seemed to think when they lost to Miami at Miami."
"This was the biggest shocker of the year."
@RealSkipBayless reacts to Schröder and Westbrook combining for 53 in Lakers win without LeBron https://t.co/aNolF0EkYe
He added:
“Dennis Schroder has had the weirdest NBA journey as you know, he was really good for Lakers as he was really good for the Hawks. He thought he had a better shot on open market and he has to crawl back to Lakers on minimum kind of money. Now he is playing like a guy who deserves a big contract. Dennis Schroder was big time last night.”
LA Lakers pull a shocking win over Miami Heat
The LA Lakers have had consistent issues this season. Anthony Davis has been injured for weeks and looks no closer to making a return. Without Davis, the Lakers lack size and perimeter domination. However, the team still has a decent chance of making it to the Playoffs. They are currently 12th in the Western Conference, with a 17-21 record and need to produce consistent victories in order to make it.
LeBron James is set to return for the next game against Atlanta Hawks and has been in scintillating form. James has produced a double-double in each of his last two NBA appearances and has scored at least 43 points. He has been producing some big performances of late and has improved his average to 29 ppg along with 8.2 rebounds and 6.6 assists.
Dennis Schroder tonight:
32 PTS
4 STL
8-15 FG
4-7 3P
Joins LeBron and AD as the only lakers with multiple 30-point games this season. https://t.co/UeVsc08Z55
There is little doubt that the LA Lakers still have potential and only need to focus on ending the regular season well. A couple of useful signings before the trade deadline might further fuel their Playoff hopes.