PAINT PROTECTION

The Los Angeles Lakers received the Detroit Pistons yesterday at Staples Center, a game where they’ve won 106-99, producing several highlights worth of replaying time and time again. However, there’s one particular statistic where the Lakers excelled. The addition of Anthony Davis and Dwight Howard in the offseason, gave the team an inside presence capable of disrupting every shot in the paint, making it hard for the opposing team to score on their drives to the basket. These two, along Javale Mcgee, combined for 19 blocks (!) against the Pistons on yesterday’s win.

Anthony Davis with 8 blocks, was the third player on the Lakers history since 1982, along Shaquille O’Neal and Kareem Abdul Jabbar, to post a game of 24+ Points, 11+ Rebounds and 8+ Blocks. The Brow has broken several records already since he has become a Laker in July, and if he continues this level of play, he’ll probably break many more as he’s part of a team that has champions aspirations for the first time in his career. Davis with 8 blocks and Javale Mcgee with 6 blocks in 20 minutes are the third duo of teammates in NBA history to finish with 6 blocks or more each, with Dirk Nowitzki and Eric Dampier being the last to ever do it in 2005. Dwight Howard with 5 blocks in 21 minutes complete this monster stat line for Frank Vogel’s team.

The Lakers had 20 blocks tonight.



The most in Lakers history since 1982.



The most by any team in the NBA since 2001.



AD had 8, Javale had 6, Dwight had 5. pic.twitter.com/csdEBF36VN — StatMuse (@statmuse) January 6, 2020

Games with teams reaching 19+ Blocks

Los Angeles Lakers v Detroit Pistons (05/01/2020) - 20 Blocks



Washington Bullets v Indiana Pacers (26/02/1986) - 20 Blocks



New Jersey Nets v Orlando Magic (20/11/1993) - 19 Blocks



Utah Jazz v San Antonio Spurs (18/02/1989) - 19 Blocks



Washington Bullets v Atlanta Hawks (25/01/2986) - 16 Blocks

LeBron James also notched another triple-double with 21 Points, 14 Rebounds and 11 Assists, continuing his strong case for the MVP trophy. Anthony Davis, on the other hand, is the frontrunner for Defensive Player of the Year, and with games like these, he’ll only solidify his position to take the award home at the end of the season.