A potential preview of the 2020 NBA Finals saw the Los Angeles Lakers defeat the Milwaukee Bucks 113-103 at Staples Center on Friday. In the process, L.A. became the first team in the Western Conference to clinch a playoff spot and will return to the postseason for the first time since 2013.
The top two teams in their respective conferences met for the second and final time in the regular season. The Bucks notched a seven-point victory in Milwaukee back in mid-December. Neither team has changed much since, with both making minor tweaks to their rosters ahead of the playoffs.
Los Angeles (48-13) added Markieff Morris and Dion Waiters, while the Bucks (53-10) brought in forward Marvin Williams after he was bought out in Charlotte.
LeBron drops 37 in showdown with Giannis in Lakers vs. Bucks | 2019-20 NBA Highlights
Friday also saw the top two MVP candidates facing off, with LeBron James (25.4 points, 10.7 assists, 7.8 rebounds per game) against Giannis Antetokounmpo (29.6 points, 13.8 rebounds, 5.8 assists per game).
The last time the two met, James notched a triple-double, while Giannis tallied 34 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists.
On Friday, James reached another career milestone, surpassing 34,000 career points to bring his all-time total to 34,030.
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Giannis @KingJames (37 PTS) & The Greek Freak (32 PTS) DUEL as the @Lakers prevail in the battle of conference No. 1's!
Notable Performers
- LeBron James, SF, Lakers: 37 points, eight rebounds, eight assists
- Anthony Davis, PF, Lakers: 30 points, nine rebounds, two blocks
- Giannis Antetokounmpo, PF, Bucks: 32 points, 11 rebounds, six assists
- Donte DiVincenzo, SG, Bucks: 17 points, four assists, three rebounds
LeBron Outduels Giannis in Rematch
If Milwaukee's coaching staff was looking to see how a motivated Giannis would match up against James, they likely weren't too thrilled by the outcome.
Each time the two found each other alone, James got the best of the reigning MVP.
It happened when the King put his back to the basket and used his post game to bully his way into the paint. And when James was isolated on the wing, blowing right past Giannis—and three other Bucks—to get to the cup. And when James needed to pull up on a jumper, and Giannis gave him the space to do it.
Paul & Jalen Rose SHOCKED LeBron (37 Pts) lead Lakers def Bucks 113-103; Giannis: 32 Pts
Lakers Clinch 1st Playoff Berth Since 2013 with Win over Giannis, Bucks
The Los Angeles Lakers are headed back to the playoffs for the first time since the 2012-13 campaign.
They clinched their spot in the postseason with a 113-103 win over the Milwaukee Bucks at Staples Center on Friday night.
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While the playoffs seemed like a bare-minimum goal for a roster featuring two of the top players in the league in LeBron James and Anthony Davis, many assumed as much about the Purple and Gold last season. After all, James was coming off eight straight trips to the NBA Finals from his time on the Miami Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers and seemed like a lock for additional postseason success.
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