Lakers vs. Atlanta Hawks — 122–101 (November 17, 2019)
In this smooth and decisive win for the Lakers, LeBron James came close to a triple-double. The main success of the game, however, was managing to place Trae You under the control of the Lakers’ defense. This completely disrupted Atlanta’s spacing, and they never recovered.
The game had it all: inside scoring, crisp ball movement, and the ability to score threes at the right times. The Lakers managed to keep a 20-point lead for most of the game, underscoring how important it is for the team to be in sync.
Lakers vs. Cleveland Cavaliers — 128–99 (January 13, 2020)
When LeBron James faces the Cavaliers, passions tend to run high, and this time, LeBron managed to score 31 points. Most of the surge happened in the third quarter, and LeBron orchestrated it. Before that, the teams were evenly matched, but the Cavaliers couldn’t recover from a sudden, strong offensive surge.
With a 37-18 third quarter, the win showed that the Lakers can still implement a new strategy in the second half and are a force to be reckoned with throughout the game. This was most noticeable in how they suffocated the defense and forced turnovers to create a lead.
Lakers vs. Detroit Pistons — 106–96 (January 9, 2021)
Unlike other games on our list, this one wasn’t a scoring affair, and the biggest margin was. However, everyone agrees it was one of the best games the Lakers played. They’ve managed to set up a strong perimeter defense and score from many positions.
The Lakers exerted defensive pressure throughout the game and relied on smart, balanced scoring. The game demonstrated that it’s possible to win and execute strategies even without any major fireworks.
Lakers vs. Phoenix Suns — 132–113 (March 22, 2024)
This game relied on the shooters and their ability to lock in and perform throughout the whole match. Los Angeles has built an early lead, largely thanks to how well Austin Reaves and D’Angelo Russell have played. The Lakers kept pushing the pace, and the Suns never found their game that night.
The Lakers led by 15 and 20 points the entire game. It wasn’t their best season, but this was one of the cleanest wins they had all year, with everyone knowing their role and performing to the best of their ability.
