LeBron James Dominates, Hits 34K Career Points as Lakers Beat Giannis, Bucks

A potential preview of the 2020 NBA Finals saw the Los Angeles Lakers defeat the Milwaukee Bucks 113-103 at Staples Center on Friday. In the process, L.A. became the first team in the Western Conference to clinch a playoff spot and will return to the postseason for the first time since the 2012-13 season.

The top two teams in their respective conferences met for the second and final time in the regular season. The Bucks notched a seven-point victory in Milwaukee in mid-December, and neither team changed much since.

Los Angeles (48-13) added Markieff Morris and Dion Waiters, while the Bucks (53-10) brought in forward Marvin Williams after he was bought out in Charlotte.

Friday also saw the top two MVP candidates face off, with LeBron James (25.4 points, 10.7 assists, 7.8 rebounds per game) against Giannis Antetokounmpo (29.6 points, 13.8 rebounds, 5.8 assists).

The last time the two met, James notched a triple-double, while Giannis tallied 34 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists.

On Friday, James reached another career milestone, surpassing 34,000 career points to bring his all-time total to 34,030.

Notable Performers

• LeBron James, SF, Lakers: 37 points, eight rebounds, eight assists
• Anthony Davis, PF, Lakers: 30 points, nine rebounds, two blocks
• Giannis Antetokounmpo, PF, Bucks: 32 points, 11 rebounds, six assists
• Donte DiVincenzo, SG, Bucks: 17 points, four assists, three rebounds

LeBron Outduels Giannis in Rematch

If Milwaukee's coaching staff was looking to see how a motivated Giannis would fare against James, they likely weren't too thrilled by the outcome. Just about each time they matched up, James got the best of the reigning MVP.

It happened when the King put his back to the basket and used his post game to bully his way in. And when James was isolated on the wing, blowing past Giannis and three other Bucks. And when James needed to pull up, and Giannis gave him the space to do it.

The Staples Center crowd rose to its feet each time James keyed in on Giannis.

It felt like a playoff game, and even though the focus was on the MVP candidates, James said afterward: "For me, it's never about the individual challenge or individual game; it's about the team. Now, you do take the challenge anytime you're going against anybody at the level of Giannis or anyone else on the floor. But you also have to have your mind in the game and not make it personal."

Early on, the Lakers didn't appear as though they'd be defeating the team with the best record in the NBA by double digits. Davis picked up three fouls early in the first half, and the teams entered the break tied at 48 thanks to a combined 10-of-44 shooting from behind the arc.

As ugly as it was, it made what came next all the more impressive.

Down by five, the Lakers went on an 18-0 run with a little under two minutes remaining in the third. It certainly frustrated Giannis, who struggled in transition and in the paint as L.A. worked to make sure he couldn't break free and find a mismatch.

The Lakers could've delivered a finishing blow to the Bucks early in the fourth quarter with Giannis on the bench, but some errant play by Rajon Rondo stopped their momentum and allowed Milwaukee to creep back to within single digits.

Even then, it never got closer than a two-possession game. When Giannis threw up a three in transition near the end of regulation, it felt like a prayer. The Lakers are now 20-0 this season when LeBron scores 30 or more points.

What's Next?

The Lakers won't have to travel far for their next road game, as they'll take on the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday at Staples Center. The game will be televised on ABC at 3:30 p.m. ET. Milwaukee will visit the Phoenix Suns on Sunday at Talking Stick Resort Arena before a Monday night game in Denver.