LeBron James intractable at 38: 22 points, 20 rebounds and the decisive double for overtime in the Lakers victory

with a decided Lebron James, los angeles lakers defeated the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday and advanced 3-1 in their Playoffs while Jimmy Butler scored 56 points for the Heat, who left behind the Bucks. Giannis Antetokounmpo on the verge of elimination. Butler’s offensive performance, the fourth-highest mark in NBA playoff history, was followed up by LeBron James tonight in the Lakers’ 117-111 win over the Grizzlies in overtime..

The stainless king

King James had 22 points, a career-high 20 rebounds, seven assists and a double that forced the Lakers into overtime. At 38 years and 115 days, LeBron is the oldest player to have at least 20 points and 20 rebounds in a postseason game. In the Lakers uniform, the last to do so was Shaquille O’Neal in 2004 at the age of 32.

“When my teammates told me I had gone 20-20, I had no idea. I’ve achieved great things in my career, but I didn’t succeed,” he said. LeBron before acknowledging that he is sometimes surprised by the accomplishments of his 20-year career.

The Los Angeles team, which qualified for the playoffs in the playoffs, is now just one win away from eliminating the powerhouse Grizzlies, the Western Conference’s second seed.

But LeBron wasn’t the only star of the evening in Los Angeles. Is that the great campaign of the Lakers in this series has attracted celebrities such as Prince Harry of England and his wife Meghan Markle or actor Adam Sandler to the Crypto.com Arena on Monday.

The Los Angeles team took control of the game despite the dismal offensive performance of their other great figure, Anthony Davis, who finished with just 12 points. For the Grizzlies, their leader Ja Morant did everything he could to avoid a loss that now leaves them on the ropes. The All-Star point guard finished with 19 points and, with his explosive leaps to the field goal, he came close several times to aggravate his right hand injury, which sidelined him starting the second game of the series.

Supported by shooting guard Desmond Bane, a leading scorer with 36 points, the Grizzlies fought back in the second half and jumped to a seven-point lead in the final five minutes. The Lakers stayed in the game on three consecutive 3-pointers by D’Angelo Russell, but a Bane field goal put Memphis ahead 104-102 with six seconds left. However, in a providential action, LeBron James tied the game with a spectacular layup on center Jaren Jackson Jr. with just 0.1 seconds left.

In overtime, the Lakers were more effective and LeBron was also able to let off steam with a fierce celebration by scoring a brace with an extra foul when he was defended by the controversial Dillon Brooks. The Memphis forward (11 points), who was sent off in Game 3 for hitting James in the groin, contemptuously stated last week that the Lakers superstar was ‘old’. Although apparently not so much. This Wednesday the series will continue.

Butler’s performance against Antetokounmpo was decisive

In the other match on Monday, The Miami Heat defeated the Milwaukee Bucks 119-114 and advanced 3-1 in this Eastern Series. The Bucks, top seed in the conference, now need to win three straight games to avoid elimination against the Heat who qualified for the playoffs.

Milwaukee came to dominate with 15 points on the Heat field boosted by the return of Giannis Antetokounmpo who, after two games out with a back injury, shone with a triple-double of 26 points, 10 rebounds and 13 assists. But The Greek star’s comeback was completely overshadowed by a historic-sized performance from Jimmy Butler, who scored 56 points on a streak of 19/28 from the field and also added nine rebounds.. Only Michael Jordan (63 points), Elgin Baylor (61) and Donovan Mitchell (57) all have more goalscorers in a postseason game.

“I love competition. That’s where the best players appear,” said Butler, known for his epic playoff performances. “I’m not saying I’m among those top players, but I want to be seen like this.”

The Bucks looked on course for a series win before Game 5 Wednesday in Milwaukee. When Butler returned to the field with eight minutes left, the Bucks led 89–98. From then on, the former Chicago Bulls guard started scoring from all positions and gave the Heat the lead for the first time with three minutes left. Butler wrapped up the win with a total of 21 points in the fourth quarter to chants of “MVP, MVP” from his 20,000 fans.