LOS ANGELES, CA-Los Angeles Lakers center JaVale McGee had the most offensive productive scoring night of his career, going down low and often against the Brooklyn Nets in front of a sellout crowd at Staples Center. A dunk or two here, a spin move there and McGee had himself a ball with a dominant performance against the Eastern Conference Nets.
Making 15 of the 20 shots he attempted, McGee wound up scoring a game-high 33 points. Throw in McGee’s 20 rebounds and six blocked shots, and the Lakers center pretty much stole the show from the game’s two marquee players: teammate LeBron James and Nets All-Star D’Angelo Russell.
Brooklyn Nets guard D’Angelo Russell looking for an open teammate against the Los Angeles Lakers on March 22, 2019. The Nets defeated the Lakers, 111-106. Photo by Dennis J. Freeman/News4usonline
Los Angeles Lakers forward Kyle Kuzma securing the rebound against the Brooklyn Nets on March 22, 2019. The Nets defeated the Lakers, 111-106. Photo by Dennis J. Freeman/News4usonline
Los Angeles Lakers forward Reggie Bullock getting off a jump shot agains the Brooklyn Nets on March 22, 2019. The Nets defeated the Lakers, 111-106. Photo by Dennis J. Freeman/News4usonline
LeBron James going up for the score against the Brooklyn Nets on March 22, 2019. The Nets defeated the Lakers, 111-106. Photo By Dennis J. Freeman/News4usonline
Brooklyn Nets center Jarrett Allen flies to the basket for the dunk against the defense of JaVale McGee and Los Angeles Lakers. The Nets defeated the Lakers, 111-106 on Friday, March 22, 2019. Photo by Dennis J. Freeman/News4usonline
The Brooklyn Nets defeated the Los Angeles Lakers, 111-106, on March 22, 2019, at Staples Center. Photo by Dennis J. Freeman/News4usonline
LeBron James goes up against the defense of Brookyn Nets center Jarrett Allen on March 22, 2019. The Nets defeated the Lakers, 111-106, Friday, March 22, 2019, at Staples Center. Photo by Dennis J. Freeman/News4usonline
Los Angeles Lakers center JaVale goes for two points against the Brooklyn Nets. The Nets defeated the Lakers, 111-106. Photo by Dennis J. Freeman/News4usonline
Los Angeles Lakers center JaVale McGee scored 33 points and had 20 rebounds in a 111-106 defeat to the Brooklyn Nets on March 22, 2019, at Staples Center. Photo by Dennis J. Freeman/News4usonline
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James leading the fastbreak against the Brooklyn Nets on March 22, 2019. The Nets defeated the Lakers, 111-106. Photo by Dennis J. Freeman/News4usonline
Brooklyn Nets guard D’Angelo Russell gets off a 3-pointer against the Los Angeles Lakers on March 22, 2019. Photo by Dennis J. Freeman/News4usonline
Los Angeles Lakers centr JaVale McGee powers his way through a couple of Brooklyn Nets defenders on his way to scoring two points. The Nets defeated the Lakers, 111-106. Photo by Dennis J. Freeman/News4usonline
It’s too bad that McGee’s super night would go for naught as the Russell and the Nets scored a 111-106 win against the Lakers. Russell, the Lakers former first round draft pick, put up some solid numbers against his former team, scoring 21 points and finishing the game with 13 assists.
In the defeat, James produced his stellar all-around performance on the court, going for 25 points, recording 14 assists, and coming one rebound (nine) away from producing a triple-double. The home loss to the Nets means the Lakers are officially out of playoff contention for the season.
