THE Los Angeles Lakers got what they wanted in Game Four where LeBron James went to the foul line more than usual in the Western Conference finals as they held off the Denver Nuggets for a 114-108 win to move on the verge of the NBA Finals.
In a Los Angeles Times article a day before Game Four, Lakers coach Frank Vogel had admitted to presenting a case to the league about James’ lack of trips to the charity stripe.
“We’re dealing with the fouls through the proper channels with the league,” Vogel said on Thursday, Manila time after practice. “I think he’s gone to the basket very aggressively, and I’ll just leave it at that.”
James came into Game Four averaging 6.6 free throws per game in the playoffs and shooting a total of just 10 free throws in three games in the West finals.
The 35-year-old Lakers superstar surpassed that total in Game Four, alone, going to the line and taking 14 attempts, making 11. He stuffed the stat sheet as usual with 26 points, nine rebounds, eight assists, and zero turnovers in 38 minutes.
But more than his offense, it was James’ defense on Jamal Murray at crunch time that left a bigger imprint in the victory.
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