NBA highlights on Mar. 6: James proves he is still 'The King'
Li Xiang
LeBron James, #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers, tussles with Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks in the game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, March 6, 2020. /VCG

LeBron James, #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers, tussles with Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks in the game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, March 6, 2020. /VCG

Milwaukee Bucks 103-113 Los Angeles Lakers

This was the second time the Lakers and the Bucks met each other in the regular season. Just like the last time, they are the leading team of the Western and Eastern Conference respectively, which is why this game is called "NBA Finals preview."

This time, the victory went to the Lakers led by LeBron James who dropped 37 points, eight rebounds and eight assists. The 35-year-old also reached a new milestone in his career: James' career points surpassed 34,000. Meanwhile, thanks to this win, the Lakers secured a spot in this year's playoffs. The last time the purple and gold entered the playoffs happened seven years ago.

LeBron James, #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers, and Giannis Antetokounmpo, #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks, compete for the ball in the game at the Staples Center, March 6, 2020. /VCG

LeBron James, #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers, and Giannis Antetokounmpo, #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks, compete for the ball in the game at the Staples Center, March 6, 2020. /VCG

By contrast, Giannis Antetokounmpo also did well as he put down 32 points, 11 rebounds and six assists for the Bucks. However, when their teams needed the leader to stand out, James did what he was expected to do both offensively and defensively, plus he did his job at the cost of Antetokounmpo.

"What was more impressive to me was his defense on Giannis. Starting in the first half…for him to take on that assignment and still do what he did offensively, just an incredibly remarkable two-way performance," said Frank Vogel, head coach of the purple and gold.

Khris Middleton, #22 of the Milwaukee Bucks, handles the ball in the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Staples Center, March 6, 2020. /VCG

Khris Middleton, #22 of the Milwaukee Bucks, handles the ball in the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Staples Center, March 6, 2020. /VCG

The Lakers tried their best to slow down the pace of the game and dragged it into a half-court positional warfare. They barely competed for offensive rebounds and prioritized returning to defensive positions in order to reduce the chances of Antetokounmpo driving directly towards the rim in transition. When the Greek Freak had to dribble the ball, figuring how to break through prepared formation of the opponents, the Lakers' defense on him was halfway successful.

Khris Middleton should have been Milwaukee's best solution to such defense with his incredible isolation skills and shooting ability. However, he was only 5-19 to get 12 points in Friday's game, leaving the burden again onto Antetokounmpo's shoulder. To be fair, though Antetokounmpo's offensive skills are still ragged, his strong body, huge stride, long arms and athleticism were still good enough to deal with most of the defenders in the league.

Giannis Antetokounmpo, #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks, shoots the ball in the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Staples Center, March 6, 2020. /VCG

Giannis Antetokounmpo, #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks, shoots the ball in the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Staples Center, March 6, 2020. /VCG

Nonetheless, the Lakers were one of the few exceptions. First their defenders – Avery Bradley, Danny Green – were able to slow Antetokounmpo down as he approached the basket. Second, the team's big men, Anthony Davis, JaVale McGee and Dwight Howard could all match the Greek Freak in size. Such combine defense made sure that Antetokounmpo was unable to dunk or put a layup but had to try the jumpers he's not good at. Moreover, since he always ended being trapped under the rim, his passing to outside teammates would be both slow and awkward, interrupting the shooters' rhythm.

As a result, Antetokounmpo had to work harder to get most of the 32 points he had while Milwaukee only made 12 of their 43 attempts from downtown.

LeBron James, #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers, comes around screen by his teammate Danny Green in the game against the Milwaukee Bucks at the Staples Center, March 6, 2020. /VCG

LeBron James, #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers, comes around screen by his teammate Danny Green in the game against the Milwaukee Bucks at the Staples Center, March 6, 2020. /VCG

The Lakers also had to face Milwaukee's league-top defense but their advantage lied in James. First, when he did not have to face Antetokounmpo, James was able to bully most of the Bucks' players with either skills or power. For example, James buried two fadeaway jumpers in front of Wesley Matthews who is strong but shorter than him. Moreover, James is a master of coming around screens. He kept asking big-man teammates like McGee to block Milwaukee's giant center away while he could attack the basket to either score or draw fouls.

Thanks to his smart combination of patience and aggressiveness, James went 11-14 inside the 3-point line and earned 15 free throws.

Anthony Davis, #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers, dunks in the game against the Milwaukee Bucks at the Staples Center, March 6, 2020. /VCG

Anthony Davis, #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers, dunks in the game against the Milwaukee Bucks at the Staples Center, March 6, 2020. /VCG

Davis also made great contributions to the Lakers' victory. Though he watched Antetokounmpo finish two three-point plays on him in less than four minutes in the first quarter, Davis was the Lakers' most reliable defensive choice on the court, especially when he did not have to meet the Greek Freak in transition. Furthermore, Davis's speed advantage enabled him to increase more cut-ins in the second half to either score or draw fouls, assisted by James.

Other results on Friday: (home teams in bold):

Atlanta Hawks 112-118 Washington Wizards

San Antonio Spurs 120-139 Brooklyn Nets

Oklahoma City thunder 126-103 New York Knicks

Utah Jazz 99-94 Boston Celtics

Indiana Pacers 108-102 Chicago Bulls

Orlando Magic 132-118 Minnesota Timberwolves

Miami Heat 104-110 New Orleans Pelicans

Memphis Grizzlies 96-121 Dallas Mavericks

Portland Trail Blazers 117-127 Phoenix Suns