LeBron-less Lakers erase 19-point deficit, stun Bucks in 2OT

The Lakers pulled off one of the most incredible wins of the season erasing a 19-point, fourth-quarter deficit to overcome the Bucks 128-124 in double-overtime on the road.

With LeBron James (ankle) sidelined for LA, the Bucks entered the matchup as short-priced favourites and looked destined to run away with it leaping out to a 29-10 lead in the opening period.

The Lakers managed to cut the lead to as low as a half-dozen midway through the second before the deficit grew back to 19 with 8:25 to play in the fourth.

LA crafted a 26-7 run to force overtime with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Austin Reaves both coming up short on potential game-winners in the dying seconds.

Damian Lillard had his game-winning attempt blocked at the end of the first overtime before a 28-foot Reaves three with 39 seconds to play in the second overtime put the Lakers up three as they held on for a courageous win.

Anthony Davis (34 pts, 23 reb, 4 blk) was dominant for the Lakers along with Reaves (29 pts, 14 reb, 10 ast), D’Angelo Russell (29 pts, 7 reb, 10 ast), and Rui Hachimura (16 pts, 14 reb, 7/14 FG).

Davis joins Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the only other Laker to put up 34+ points, 23+ rebounds, and 4+ blocks in a single game.

Davis, Reaves, and Russell become the first Laker trio since Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, and Norm Nixon in 1982 to put up 25-point double-doubles in the same game.

LA’s 69 rebounds was also the most that the team has had in a game since 1993.

The Lakers held the Bucks to just 13 fourth-quarter points whilst winning the rebounding battle and holding the Bucks to sub-30% shooting from deep.

Antetokounmpo (29 pts, 21 reb, 11 ast) stuffed the stat-sheet for the Bucks but also finished the game with seven turnovers, a team-worst -13, and shot just one-of-six from the stripe.

Damian Lillard (27 pts, 9/29 FG) struggled shooting on the night although Malik Beasley (21 pts, 5/14 3P) and Bobby Portis (18 pts, 13 reb) offered some valuable punch on the offensive end.

The Bucks are in New Orleans on Friday whilst the Lakers continue their road trip against the Grizzlies tomorrow.

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