LeBron has 33 points, Lakers beat Pistons in calm rematch

In the Lakers’ rematch with the Pistons, LeBron James and Isaiah Stewart did not play in Round 2.

James was too preoccupied with ensuring that Los Angeles received the same decision that he missed last week in Detroit.

In the Lakers’ 110-106 victory over Stewart on Sunday night, James had 33 points, nine assists, and no interactions with Stewart.

Anthony Davis contributed 24 points and 10 rebounds to Russell Westbrook’s 25 points and nine assists. The Lakers won their second game in eight days against Detroit, rebounding from an ugly triple-overtime loss to Sacramento on Friday.

Davis explained, “That Sac game stuck with us for a couple of days, giving that game away.” “I think we did a fantastic job defensively tonight to get this winning streak started.”

The Lakers’ fans booed Stewart repeatedly and vociferously, although he looked to have had no substantial interactions with James since both players were booted from the teams’ meeting in Detroit a week prior for an ugly confrontation.

When James slapped Stewart in the face during a scramble for rebounding position, he was called for a Flagrant-2 foul and dismissed. In the aftermath, an enraged Stewart attempted to charge at James several times, earning him his own disqualification. Stewart received a two-game punishment, while James received a one-game sentence.

On Friday, Stewart added fuel to the fire by claiming he didn’t believe James’ blow was accidental, as James claimed. Stewart, who is 20 years old, is three and a half years older than James’ oldest son, Bronny.

Before the rematch, James had moved on from the controversy.

“After that Sac loss the other night, we were furious,” James remarked. “We made a point of coming in today laser-focused on our game plan and learning from our failures, and we improved.” That tells me we’re a team that cares about each other and wants to improve.”

The Pistons didn’t think the rematch had any added significance.

Jerami Grant said, “It’s simply basketball.” “On the court, things happen, but you have to get your mind right and prepare to play.”

In the Pistons’ sixth consecutive loss, Grant had 32 points and No. 1 pick Cade Cunningham had 15 points and 11 rebounds. Following up on Friday’s 11-point loss to the Clippers at Staples Center, Detroit was more competitive against Los Angeles’ other team, but fell short once more.

In the rematch, Stewart had five points and six rebounds in 27 minutes.

Grant commented, “We did a fantastic job moving the ball.” “I almost finished the game. We had a mental breakdown in the third quarter that allowed them to take the lead, but I think we played well overall.”

Los Angeles lost to the Pistons for the fifth straight time at Staples Center despite failing to break away from a struggling opponent.

The Lakers went on a 16-0 run in the third quarter to take a 19-point lead, their most points in a row this season. However, the Lakers have yet to put together a major period of excellent play this season, and the Pistons used a 13-2 run with 5:48 left to pull within 97-91.

With 16.7 seconds left, Grant’s free throws trimmed the lead to 108-104, but the Lakers held on.

“It’s sad not to win more comfortably,” Westbrook said, “but I understand the process.” “I believe that diversity is a positive aspect of life in general. It aids in the development of personality. When things don’t go your way, it reveals who you truly are.”

TIP-INS

Kelly Olynyk has missed his 10th straight game due to a left knee strain for the Pistons. Frank Jackson led the team with 17 points.

Austin Reaves made his first appearance since November 8, and he went scoreless in six minutes. With a hamstring injury, the youngster missed ten games. On his 34th birthday, Wayne Ellington scored five points. He is one of five players on the Lakers that are older than him. “I’ll be good to go Tuesday,” James said after a late collision did not aggravate his recent stomach ailment.

PROGRESS OF PISTONS

Dwane Casey, the coach of the Detroit Pistons, hailed his young team’s offensive progress, which included 29 assists on 38 field goals and 39.4 percent 3-point shooting.

Casey explained, “We located the open guys and made our shots.” “Our (17) turnovers are the one aspect of the offense that concerns me. That is enormous. In a five-point game, that’s 17 attempts taken away for shooting the ball. Passing carelessly. When we stick our finger in one hole, another one appears. Nobody receives a participation award. “It doesn’t matter if you’re close.”