The Los Angeles Lakers hosted the Philadelphia 76ers tonight. The Sixers, playing on the second night of a back-to-back, hoped to secure a second straight win on the road. On the other hand, LeBron James and the Lakers looked to break a two-game skid tonight.
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Joel Embiid led the charge for the Sixers as they manage to record yet another 1-point win. Having beaten the Jazz 118-117 yesterday, the Sixers secured a 113-112 win tonight.
It was a hard-fought game for both sides. The Lakers, playing without Anthony Davis, Austin Reaves, Patrick Beverley, and Lonnie Walker IV, managed to stay within striking distance of the Sixers all night.
Russell Westbrook had a triple-double off the bench. He scored 20 points, grabbed 14 rebounds, and dished 11 assists. However, his final possession cost the Lakers an important win that they could have secured.
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Skip Bayless finds a way to pin the blame on LeBron James
On the game’s final possession, Russell Westbrook grabbed the rebound off of a missed Joel Embiid shot. One would expect him to pass to LeBron James at some point, but that never happened. Russ got the ball with 13.3 seconds on the clock, and he took it to the front court, almost lost it, and then threw up a wild shot with the clock winding down, which got blocked.
Russell Westbrook “game winner” pic.twitter.com/oXH2psiYgk
— That’s a highlight (@ClipIt_NBA) January 16, 2023
This play had LeBron James so dejected that he walked away back to the locker room right after the final buzzer. Clearly, the loss wasn’t on LeBron, who scored 35 points, grabbed eight rebounds, and had ten assists. However, Skip Bayless found a way to blame him.
COME ON, LEBRON, GO GET THE BALL FROM RUSS AND YOU MAKE SOMETHING HAPPEN DOWN ONE WITH THE CLOCK TICKING DOWN. RUSS DROVE ON EMBIID AND … I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT HE WAS TRYING TO DO … 2-HAND PASS IT? SHOOT IT? DUNK IT? THAT WAS YOUR SHOT TO TAKE, LEBRON.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) January 16, 2023
According to the FS1 Analyst, it’s Bron’s fault that Russ didn’t pass to him and blow away the possession and in turn, the game. Alright then, now Skip is just getting innovative with ways to pin the blame.
Lakers fans react to Russell Westbrook’s shot
On a night where LeBron James gave us a special 35-8-10 show, on 65% shooting, Russell Westbrook quite literally threw away the game. Lakers fans, as expected, weren’t too pleased about it.
I WANT RUSSELL WESTBROOK ARRESTED IMMEDIATELY!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/yCpHhKcLDw
— LakeShowYo (@LakeShowYo) January 16, 2023
It’s one thing to miss a shot, but this was something else…😂 https://t.co/X5M68gnWAO
— OJ Mustard (@MB780_) January 16, 2023
WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING WESTBROOK?! pic.twitter.com/2HkMMIktF5
— Lakers Lead (@LakersLead) January 16, 2023
I still can’t believe that Westbrook did that 😂😂😂😂😂 you can’t make this stuff up #BrotherlyLove #sixers #NBA https://t.co/yJ9vw5wzE8
— Andrew C. Belton, MBA 🦅 (@AndrewCBelton) January 16, 2023
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