LeBron James, a 39-year-old and 21-year veteran, nonchalantly glided into a spectacular lob worthy for an All-Star Game as the ball bounced off the Lakers’ floor.

Later on in the evening on Sunday, James scored a basket in the paint and twisted his body around a defender to launch a left-handed slam that culminated in a backward summersault into the Crypto.com Arena floor as the Lakers continued to extend their advantage.

D’Angelo Russell, the Lakers’ hated point guard who has been living inside trade machines all over the internet for the last month, made a pass that preceded both of those plays.

Russell, whose recent hоt streak coincided with the start of trade season, masterminded many of the Lakers’ pivotal moments in their 134-110 victory against the awful Portland Trail Blazers.

Lakers coach Darvin Ham said, “I’ve watched him play one of the most complete games since he’s been back in the Laker uniform.” He was excellent both on and off the ball, in terms of his activity and defense. He was enormous.

Alongside James and Anthony Davis, he precisely matched their measured pace with urgency and intensity on Sunday, finishing with 34 points and eight assists.

Russell said, “You have to be аggressive around these guys.” You know, you don’t pass to these people; instead, you complement them by being аggressive. That’s like, so guardable. When it’s like that, you’re simple to protect.

Since entering the starting lineup five games ago, he has averaged 27.2 points and made almost 54% of his three-pointers, which is his highest shooting percentage of the year. On Sunday, the points started to pile up.

Russell said, “I’ve always been like that, realizing my superpower.” Every player in the league has one. Everyone has one, whether it be a motor or defensive in nature. Since I was a little child, I have always seen that I tend to become hоt during games where I may immediately score five or six points. Perhaps score ten points in a quarter or something similar, and then in the last three minutes of the game, score ten and twelve points. It’s simply my greatest ability.

He was not by himself. After trailing the Brooklyn Nets embarrassingly in the second half of their game on Friday, the Lakers registered a complete game of intentions on Sunday.

For the Lakers, James finished with 28 points, Austin Reaves with 15, and Davis with 14 points and 14 rebounds.