Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis (3) reacts against the Phoenix Suns during the first half of an NBA basketball game on Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Anthony Davis is off to a good start and that’s bad news for the Detroit Pistons.
The Los Angeles Lakers big star is averaging 31.8 plays and 12.0 rebounds through the first six games. When the Lakers visit Detroit on Monday evening, he will now face a team that he has dominated throughout his career.
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Davis has averaged 28.3 points in 19 career games against the Pistons, his highest points against any opponent.
READ: NBA: Lakers earn first road win of season against Raptors
In the Lakers’ last game in Toronto on Friday, Davis scored 38 points and 11 rebounds in a 131-125 win. He has scored at least 30 points in all four of the Lakers’ wins this season.
Los Angeles had to put its first two losses behind it after opening the season with three straight wins.
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“We have to win games,” Davis said. “We lost two times in a row. We have lost beating ourselves. So I think we are very capable of putting pressure on ourselves to put on games where we absolutely have to win.”
The Lakers led by 25 points at halftime and then held off the Raptors’ late push.
“We played extremely well,” Davis said. “The ball was moving. We get good looks and great opportunities for each other. Our defense was phenomenal. Everything we talked about after our two defeats, we implemented in the first half. And if we play like that, we’ll be a tough team to beat.”
The team’s other superstar, LeBron James, is also off to a strong start. He averages 22.2 points, 7.2 assists and 6.7 rebounds. He shoots 49.5 percent from the field and 44.1 percent from distance. He had 27 points, 10 assists and six rebounds on Friday.
“We took two steps forward,” James said. “This is a good sign for our ball club.”
The Lakers have won their last seven meetings against the Pistons. Detroit’s last win in the series came on January 28, 2021.
READ: NBA: Six Pistons score in double figures in win over Nets
Detroit will play the second game of a back-to-back set. The Pistons celebrated their second win of the season on Sunday afternoon, defeating the Brooklyn Nets 106:92.
The Pistons outscored the Nets 54-35 in the second half.
“We know how good we can be,” said Detroit forward Tobias Harris. “We just have to be consistent, night after night.”
Harris played a big part in the win with 18 points, six assists and five rebounds. Center Jalen Duren had his best performance of the season with 13 points, 17 rebounds, four assists and three blocks.
Cade Cunningham scored 19 points, but also committed seven turnovers. Malik Beasley provided a lead off the bench with 18 points.
“I thought the guys from a gritty standpoint — how hard they played and how they shared the ball tonight — were incredible,” Pistons coach JB Bickerstaff said. “The way they kept taking shots for each other – we got a lot of open looks. The boys got to work on the color and did the right reading. Tonight we played an identity game. It was big for us.”
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Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell is reportedly questionable for Monday due to a bruised right foot.