Lakers star LeBron James says he’s “not here for the bulls —” and he “doesn’t want to talk too much” about Grizzlies’ Dillon Brooks’ recent comments, James said Friday. Here’s what you need to know:
- James and Brooks exchanged words in the third quarter of Memphis’ Game 2 win after a pair of James points.
- After the contest, Brooks called James “old man” and added, “I scratch bears—I don’t respect anyone until they come over and give me 40 (points).”
- James was not asked about Brooks’ post-game but told reporters Friday that he had no response to the comments. James said, regarding the trash talk, “The game is won between the four lines. It always was. It always will be.”
- The Lakers and Grizzlies face off in Game 3 on Saturday at 10 p.m. ET. The series is tied for one game each.
LeBron at the end of his media availability: “I’m not here for shit. I’m ready to play.”
– Jovan Buha (@jovanbuha) April 21, 2023
the athleteInstant Analysis:
What else did James say?
Brooks stabbed the bear. But the bear didn’t respond – yet. James answered multiple questions about Brooks’ post-game comments in Friday practice, and refrained from creating a back-and-forth for the crowd. When asked if he had a response, James simply said, “No.” In the end James, always measured, lost his patience, concluded his presence by cutting off a question and saying, “I don’t want to talk too much. It’s going to be a great game tomorrow. I’m not here for the bulls -. I’m ready to play and that’s it. OK? Appreciate that.” “
Brooks’ comments about his defense of James are not based on reality. according to NBA.comJames scored 26 of his 49 points against Brooks, shooting 61.1 percent against him. Brooks was more than an agitator. Coach Darvin Hamm said he did not expect James to approach Game 3 in a different offensive fashion.
“LeBron needs to get out there and do what he’s always done,” Hamm said. “Just play it right. Everything else will take care of itself.” – flea
What are the betting odds on James scoring 40 in Match 3?
James hasn’t scored more than 40 points since hitting 41 in a 125-121 overtime loss to the Boston Celtics in late January. He scored 46 against the Clippers in a high-scoring game earlier that same week.
To date, James has averaged 24.5 points per game in the playoffs. In April, he averaged 28 points per game. He averaged 33.8 points per game in February before he strained a tendon in his right foot causing him to miss most of March.
The Lakers are favored by 4.5 points on Saturday with an over/under 220-point combo.
James’ point total for Saturday’s third match is set at 28.5 points at BetMGM. For those who don’t know how totals work, a $125 bet on James “Under 28.5” will win the bettor $100 if James scores 28 points or less. If James scores 29 or more points, the bettor who bets $110 more will win $100.
BetMGM also has backing on whether James will score more than 40 points. If he does, that prop will pay out at 6-1 or +600, so the person who bets $100 will win $600. – DeWitt
background story
Brooks was the Grizzlies’ primary defender on James and sought to put James’ body up 6-8, 260+. Brooks said, “It’s going well. I try, without soiling, with little bumps here and there, to make him tired.”
“He’s a special player. … These special players, they want to play in space, they want to not be touched … But when you get to the playoffs, bumps and things like that are allowed, it wears on him.”
In his most infamous trash-talking moment, Brooks has said that James is not as good as he was earlier in his career.
“He wasn’t at the same level as when he was in Cleveland winning championships in Miami. I wish I could have seen that. I mean, it would have been a harder and harder job (to guard him).”
James scored 28 points on 12-of-23 shooting, but was 1-of-8 from 3-point range. Scored 21 on 8-of-16 shooting in the Lakers’ Game 1 victory.
What did other lakers say
Roy Hashimura on Dillon Brooks’ comments: “That’s all they can do. They’re a young team. They want to talk. We don’t care.”
– Jovan Buha (@jovanbuha) April 21, 2023
required reading
(Photo: Justin Ford/Getty Images)