The match: Carmelo Anthony shines, the Lakers unlock their counter
When the Lakers play with one interior, things are still much better. Abused in their first two matches, the Californians relied on a much faster and more mobile five to avoid further disillusionment on Sunday night. With the only Dwight Howard in the painting, surrounded by LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Malik Monk and rookie Austin Reaves, they made the difference in the fourth quarter to finally clinch a first victory by overcoming the Grizzlies (121 -118).
This “small ball” configuration offers a lot more space to the Lakers who have stepped on it a bit in attack during their first two meetings. More stretched opposing lines and therefore open shots. It is precisely on two consecutive three-point baskets from Carmelo Anthony, followed by two more from LeBron James and Malik Monk, that Frank Vogel’s players unlocked the game at the start of the fourth quarter. The score then fell from 94-94 to 106-97. The Grizzlies finally got back together under the impetus of a supersonic Ja Morant (40 points). But without ever going back to the front.
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Well almost. Because the young leader and his teammates took advantage of the constant errors of their opponents to potentially snatch an overtime. Morant was entitled to three free throws with two seconds remaining. He got in the first two… before missing the third, which would have put the two teams on an equal footing. Carmelo Anthony then ended the game on the line. Like a symbol, moreover, in view of its performance. The future Hall Of Famer was the X factor in Los Angeles with 28 points off the bench. The most prolific player on his team ahead of Davis (22) and James (19). Melo also moved to ninth place in the ranking of the best scorers in history. Westbrook compiled 13 points (5 of 15), 7 rebounds, 13 assists, 4 steals and 9 lost balls. But the main thing, for the Lakers, is obviously victory. The premiere of the season. At last.
The player: Stephen Curry grapes but the Warriors still win
It’s starting strong for Golden State. The Warriors notched a third victory in as many games by beating the Kings (119-107). With 27 points and 10 assists for Stephen Curry. But the superstar leader was rather clumsy (9 of 23 and 4 of 15 at three points). It was not particularly him who made the difference at the end of the meeting. Fortunately, the Warriors can count on other players ready to take over. Jordan Poole had 22 points, Andrew Wiggins 17 and Draymond Green 16. And now the Californians are back on top of the Western Conference.
The surprise: Charlotte shocks Brooklyn and wins another victory
And 1, and 2, and 3-0. The Hornets have never started a season so well. Winner of the Nets (111-95) in Brooklyn, the Charlotte team validated the best start in its history by offering itself a third victory in a row. “Limiting this opponent to 95 points is really special“Says correctly Ish Smith, heroic substitute leader Sunday night. The young hornets actually made the difference in defense in the last twelve minutes. With their second knives on the floor. Smith scored 15 points while distributing 4 assists. Cody Martin scored 8 of his 12 points in the money time, and the Nets found no answer, abandoned by an amorphous bench (2 out of 10 for Patty Mills).
Kevin Durant must have felt lonely at times. Because he tried everything to make his family win. 38 points at 17 out of 24 on shots. Difficult to do much better. All his teammates, on the other hand, have room. James Harden, already in trouble on his first two outings, compiled 15 points, 7 rebounds and 8 assists but missing 10 of his 16 attempts. The Hornets took advantage of this collective fragility of the Nets to drive home the point by winning the fourth quarter by 15 lengths (32-17). If Charlotte is 3-0, Brooklyn has notched a victory in three games.
The state: 22
Like the number of points scored by Terrence Ross in the fourth quarter of the duel between the Magic and the Knicks. This is what is called a “heat check”. A hot stroke, in French. The veteran made the difference to lead the young Orlando team to a first victory, while pushing New York to its first defeat (110-104). The Floridians therefore made the difference in the last twelve minutes (36-24) under the impetus of their winger, author of all his baskets in the important moments of the game.
The rookie: Jalen Green slams his first card
After two first matches ended with 9 points on the clock, Jalen Green finally took off. The second pick in the draft, named the overwhelming favorite for the Rookie of the Year trophy, scored 30 pawns last night. With an excellent 8 out of 10 behind the arc. A great performance which should help him gain confidence and launch his campaign. On the other hand, collectively, the Rockets conceded a third defeat by losing against the Celtics (97-107), who won their first success thanks to 31 points from Jayson Tatum.
The French: Evan Fournier less successful
Delicate match for Evan Fournier. Opposed to Orlando, his old franchise, the back of New York has converted only 3 of his 11 attempts (8 points) and the Knicks lost against the Magic (104-110). Small game also for Theo Maledon, limited to 13 minutes and no points scored with the Thunder.
The matches of the night
Nets – Hornets : 95-111
Knicks – Magic : 104-110
Rockets – Celtics : 97-107
Thunder – Sixers : 103-115
Kings – Warriors : 107-119
Lakers – Grizzlies : 121-118
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