USA Today via Reuters
Feb 12, 2021; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) celebrates in the second half against the Memphis Grizzlies at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Feb 12, 2021; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) celebrates in the second half against the Memphis Grizzlies at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
The Los Angeles Lakers face the Brooklyn Nets tonight. In a battle between the two giants, there are multiple missing players on both sides. But former teammates, LeBron James and Kyrie Irving, will go toe to toe once again.
They have faced each other 12 times so far. LeBron has come out on top 10 times in those meetings and has outscored Kyrie in each of the 12 battles. Additionally, in nine of the 12 games, LeBron has also recorded more assists than Irving.
LeBron James is 10-2 in his career against Kyrie Irving, with both losses coming during Irving’s days with the Celtics.
James has never been outscored by Irving in their head-to-head meetings (11-0-1) and he has recorded more assists than Irving in 9 of 12 games (9-1-2). pic.twitter.com/RQt8l8Bjx6
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) February 19, 2021
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This shows the difference between the two, and how strongly LeBron outplays Irving in each of their matchups. While the first six of these games came when LeBron was with the Heat, the other six were after Kyrie requested to leave LeBron and the Cavs. That could have been a motivating factor for LeBron in these last six matchups. It would have fueled him to save his best for when he faces Irving.
Can LeBron James and the Lakers beat Kyrie Irving and the Nets?
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The Lakers will start the game without two of their most important players. Anthony Davis had already been ruled out via a calf injury, and just hours before the game, Dennis Schroder was also ruled out due to COVID-19 protocols. This is a huge blow for the Lakers, who are now without two of their starters.
USA Today via Reuters
Jan 10, 2021; Houston, Texas, USA; Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers controls the ball during the first quarter of a game against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on January 10, 2021 in Houston, Texas. Mandatory Credit: Carmen Mandato/Pool Photo-USA TODAY Sports
The Nets also have a superstar missing in Kevin Durant, who is out with a hamstring injury. It will be a huge disappointment to see two of the biggest stars in the NBA missing out on such a high-stakes game. While the game still has LeBron, Irving, and James Harden, AD and KD would have made the game more exciting.
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USA Today via Reuters
Feb 13, 2021; San Francisco, California, USA; Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant (7) stands next to head coach Steve Nash after exiting a game against the Golden State Warriors in the third quarter at the Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Both teams arrive in excellent form. The Nets are on a four-game winning streak, while the Lakers have lost just once in their last nine games. While their results may read as wins, the Lakers haven’t been up to the mark. That could tilt the odds in favor of the Nets, but LeBron is always itching for such big games. That could bring the best out of him and potentially help him lead the Lakers to a win.
