Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis, 3, reacts during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Phoenix Suns, Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scutelli)
Anthony Davis is off to a strong start, but that’s bad news for the Detroit Pistons.
The Los Angeles Lakers’ star big man is averaging 31.8 points and 12.0 rebounds through his first six games. He’ll face the team he’s dominated during his career on Monday night when the Lakers visit Detroit.
Article continues after this ad
Davis averaged 28.3 points in 19 career games with the Pistons, which is his highest score against an opponent.
Read: NBA: Lakers earn first road season win over Raptors
In the Lakers’ most recent game at Toronto on Friday, Davis had 38 points and 11 rebounds in a 131-125 win. He has scored at least 30 points in all four of the Lakers’ wins this season.
Los Angeles had come out of its first two losses with three straight wins.
Article continues after this ad
“We need to win the game,” Davis said. “We lost two in a row. We beat ourselves to the punch. So I think we’re more than capable of putting pressure on ourselves to play a must-win game.”
The Lakers led by 25 points by halftime and then held off the Raptors’ late momentum.
“We played very well,” Davis said. “The ball was moving. We were getting good looks at each other and getting great chances. Our defense was phenomenal. Everything we talked about from the two losses we implemented in the first half. If we play like that, we’re going to be a tough team to beat.”
LeBron James, the team’s other superstar, is also off to a strong start. He is averaging 22.2 points, 7.2 assists, and 6.7 rebounds. He is shooting 49.5 percent from the field and 44.1 percent from long range. He had 27 points, 10 assists and six rebounds on Friday.
“We took two steps forward,” James said. “That bodes well for our ball club.”
The Lakers have won the past seven meetings against the Pistons. Detroit’s last series win came on January 28, 2021.
Read: NBA: Pistons beat Nets with double-digit scoring
Detroit will play the second game of a back-to-back set. The Pistons defeated the Brooklyn Nets 106-92 on Sunday afternoon for their second win of the season.
The Pistons defeated the Nets 54-35 in the second half.
“We know how good we can be,” Detroit forward Tobias Harris said. “We have to be consistent every night.”
Harris contributed greatly to the victory, recording 18 points, 6 assists, and 5 rebounds. Center Jalen Duren had his best performance of the season with 13 points, 17 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 blocks.
Cade Cunningham scored 19 points but also committed seven turnovers. Malik Beasley came off the bench and scored 18 points.
“I thought the grit of our guys was unbelievable in terms of the way they played tonight and the way they shared the ball,” Pistons coach JB Bickerstaff said. “We had a lot of wide looks, how they continued to create shots for each other. Guys were getting close to the paint and making the right reads. Tonight, we played an identity game. It was big for us.”
Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Subscription completed successfully.
Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell is reportedly doubtful to play Monday with a right foot contusion.
