The Lakers star was decisive, Kyrie Irving played as a soloist with Brooklyn and Nikola Jokic was omnipresent in Denver, during a night when the Clippers were trapped by San Antonio.
LeBron James has once again made the law.
AFP
In Memphis, there is only one “King”, Elvis Presley. But in the NBA, it’s LeBron James and, on a road trip in Tennessee, he again assumed that status by disgusting the Grizzlies during the 4th quarter where he scored 10 of his 26 points, 5 of his 11 rebounds and 4 of his 7 assists, to allow the Lakers to win (94-92).
LA did not have an easy game against an opponent yet deprived of its best player, Ja Morant (ankle). “LBJ” had to wake up in the money-time: annoyed by an “and one!” (“Plus one!”) Shouted in his direction by Dillon Brooks who had just scored, a fault as a bonus, he took revenge by pulling backwards over the impetuous one, indicating to him with a lofty gesture his smallness . And on the next action, he countered Brandon Clarke.
Anthony Davis was not left out, also author of 26 points and very active in defense (10 rebounds, 3 interceptions, 3 blocks). With this 4th success in a row, the reigning champion alone takes the lead in the West.
Brooklyn sends jazz dancing
In the wake of Kyrie Irving, the only attack leader in the absence of Kevin Durant, contact case of a person who contracted Covid-19 and therefore required to remain in quarantine, the Nets were somewhat reassured after two defeats of rank, by correcting Utah, to subscribers absent at the Barclays Center (130-96).
The All-Star point guard got off to a perfect start with a 7/7 on shots, with 18 points scored in his first nine minutes. Enough to allow his team to have a 21 lead at the end of the first quarter. Match quickly folded, he finished with 29 points (6 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 interceptions), well helped by Caris LeVert, efficient (24 pts) off the bench, and by Jarett Allen (19 pts, 18 rebounds) who has won his pivotal duel with Rudy Gobert (10 pts, 11 rebounds).
The Clippers by the wayside
Kawhi Leonard’s 30 points and 10 assists, still motivated at the time of finding his former coach Gregg Popovich, did nothing: San Antonio, long dominating, was able to contain the rise of the Clippers to win on the wire (116 -113).
The awakening of the Californians in the third quarter (40-22) to make up 19 points behind at the break, was not enough. In the last twelve minutes, the Spurs regained the lead, thanks in particular to Patty Mills, formidable behind the arc with three baskets in a row (8/12 in total, personal best, 27 pts), and knew this times keep it to end a bad four-game losing streak in a row.
Jokic Denver Blues Cure
The Nuggets, rusty at the start of the season, struggled, but they won against Minnesota (123-116). They owe this second win in a row to their playing master, Serbian Nikola Jokic, who compiled 35 points, 15 rebounds and 6 assists, including a wonderfully dosed rebound that crossed halfway. And it was he who was decisive in the 15-0 inflicted in the middle of the 4th quarter, to ensure the victory.
“At this point, what more can we say about him? I repeat to him before each game: “Go ahead and win this MVP trophy”, commented admiring his teammate Will Barton.
(AFP)
