Anthony Davis has been pivotal for the Los Angeles Lakers this season, but his on-court antics stole the spotlight in Monday night’s game against the Detroit Pistons. Davis, nursing a shoulder contusion and listed as questionable before the game, ultimately suited up and delivered a solid, albeit unspectacular, performance. The game saw the Lakers falling short 117-114 in a game decided in its final moments.
Amid the intense matchup, Malik Beasley, Anthony Davis’ former teammate, hilariously called him out for his loud screams after contact while driving to the basket. Davis barrelled towards the rim on a drive attempt before turning around to attempt a fadeaway. On the ensuing contact, Davis let out a loud scream to draw the referee’s attention, prompting Beasley to call him out instantly.
Ay just cause you scream ‘AY AYYY’ it doesn’t mean it’s a foul!
Malik Beasley screamed back at Anthony Davis
“Ay just cause you scream AY AYYY it doesn’t mean it’s a foul!!!”
– Malik Beasley to Anthony Davis 😭 pic.twitter.com/x7YpEsWZEb
— Follow HeavenlyBuckets (@heavenlybuckets) December 24, 2024
Anthony Davis has a reputation for reacting vocally and profusely to contact. However, he brushed off Beasley’s comments, although he couldn’t do much to downplay his shooting struggles. He finished with 19 points on 7-of-14 shooting and went to the free-throw line eight times, converting just half of his attempts.
The game itself was a nail-biter going down to the wire, with a back-and-forth affair throughout the second half. LeBron James’ triple-double effort (28 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists) went in vain as Detroit’s Malik Beasley delivered a standout revenge game, scoring 21 points on 8-of-15 shooting. Cade Cunningham also contributed with 20 points, helping the Pistons secure a hard-fought win.
Anthony Davis’ free throw woes called out
The screams aren’t the only thing earning Anthony Davis attention. His persistent struggles at the free-throw line have also been under scrutiny. Earlier this season, Davis missed crucial free throws in a loss to the Orlando Magic and nearly cost the Lakers another game against the Sacramento Kings, only to be bailed out by a clutch rebound from Rui Hachimura. Following the game, he revealed his biggest critic.
I definitely appreciate Rui with the tip-out. My wife even called me and said ‘Rui saved you.’ That made me feel, like, worse than I actually did. Whose side is you on?
Anthony Davis revealed
Anthony Davis on his missed late free throws and Rui Hachimura’s offensive rebound to retain possession for LAL: “My wife even called me and said, ‘Rui saved you.’ So that made me feel worse.” pic.twitter.com/N5DwbEn2BC
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) December 22, 2024
While Davis’ free-throw percentage for the season remains respectable, his inconsistency in high-pressure situations has been a recurring theme. Against the Pistons, his struggles continued, going just 4-of-8 from the line.
For the Lakers, the loss highlighted the importance of a fully engaged Anthony Davis. While his stat line of 19 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 blocks was respectable, the Lakers needed more assertiveness from their big man, particularly in crunch time. With the Lakers aiming to stay competitive in the Western Conference, Davis will need to elevate his game beyond vocal appeals for foul calls.
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