LA Lakers superstar LeBron James leaked out for a fastbreak against the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday. The four-time MVP received an outlet pass from Maxi Kleber and sidestepped past Andrew Nembhard, who jumped too early, before making a layup. James scored just as the trailing Pascal Siakam and Aaron Nesmith collided trying to chase him down.
James mocked the two Pacers forwards by pointing at them as they crashed to the floor. The sequence went viral, earning reactions from fans. One fan wrote:
“That’s so lame.”
Another fan added:
“Just when I thought I couldn’t possibly despise this man any more than I already do.”
One more fan continued:
“16-57 Pacers. LeBron has no shame at all that’s why MJ is better.”
Another fan commented:
“I don’t think pointing at the worst team in the league that’s tanking is the win he thinks he is, but no one accused him of being classy.”
One fan tweeted:
“This is what were teaching kids??? Celebrating on the weak??? T him up.”
As he has often done this season, LeBron James got ahead of everybody else in transition for an easy basket. Some of his highlight plays have come after defenders tried too late to stop him. The Pacers’ Siakam and Nesmith were the latest to join James’ list of victims during such plays.
The announcers calling the play joined James in mocking the Pacers. One said that Siakam and Nesmith were involved in some “friendly fire,” a situation that the 41-year-old emphasized by pointing at them.
LeBron James’ layup was a microcosm of the Lakers’ first-half dominance against the Pacers. They led 75-59 at halftime before holding on to a 137-130 win.
LeBron James’ Sloppy Lakers Allowed Pacers To Make Game Interesting in Fourth Quarter
The LA Lakers dominated the Indiana Pacers in the first three quarters, entering the final 12 minutes with a 105-85 lead. LA was so comfortable that coach JJ Redick gave Bronny James minutes early in the last period.
The Pacers gave one last-ditch effort to turn the game around with under 10 minutes remaining. Indiana coach Rick Carlisle’s move paid off as the Pacers steadily cut into their visitors’ lead.
With 4:11 left, Indiana had cut the advantage to 126-113 following Obi Toppin’s alley-oop dunk off an Andrew Nembhard dime. Redick promptly called a timeout to regroup his team.
The Pacers had closed to within 131-124 before LeBron James made two free throws to give LA more breathing room. James added an assist late to help put the game away.
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