LeBron James back from suspension, this time it was Anthony Davis, still feverish, who was missing from the Lakers. An absence that has long facilitated the task of the Pacers, leading for more than three quarters and a half, 5-10 points each time.
Except that the Indianapolis players, led by Malcolm Brogdon (28 points), never knew how to kill the match and they then managed their “money-time” very badly, unlike LeBron James (39 points, 5 rebounds, 6 passes).
Untenable behind the 3-point line and very comfortable as a pivot in the “small ball” set up by his coach, the “King” thus made his opponents bend at the end of extra time (124-116 ). Can also count on the good performances of the solid Malik Monk and Wayne Ellington (31 points in aggregate).
For the Indiana franchise, first saved at the very end of the last quarter by a miraculous shoot from its rookie Chris Duarte, this defeat hurts, while Rick Carlisle’s men have long seemed close to knocking out their visitors …
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
— Indiana’s gifts. On the eve of “Thanksgiving,” the Pacers were in a generous mood. After starting the match with a bang, thanks to the Lakers’ defensive largesse, Rick Carlisle’s men were never able to bury the “Purple & Gold”. Contenting himself with a 5-10 point lead until the middle of the last quarter, and responding to the various Californian “runs” with identical “runs”. Except that, in the “money-time”, the fragility of the premises, coupled with the absence of a real attack leader, paid for itself in the face of the exploits of LeBron James, eager to heal his return to competition. .
— LeBron James assure en pivot. It was one of Frank Vogel’s tweaks that rocked this part. Without Anthony Davis, the Lakers used their quadruple MVP at position 5, in a “small ball”. A choice that paid off, because it was when “LBJ” was surrounded by Russell Westbrook and three shooters that the “Purple & Gold” offered their best sequences on each side of the field. Causing many fouls and losses of ball, collecting several throws and forcing the opposing racket to go out. Logically, these good minutes allowed the Los Angeles players to succeed in the “runs” which brought them back to contact.
— Le « King » assassin. Beyond his successful repositioning as a pivot, “LBJ” also shone when it came to saving the Lakers. In the last act, he first played the maestros to return to the score, with superb shifts for his teammates, at 3-points. Before taking care of the scoring in the throws, in the painting and behind the arc (with a “Big Balls Dance” as a bonus), without killing the Pacers for all that. It is therefore in overtime that the “King” put his air conditioning, always with award-winning baskets, each more distant than the other, and with a “fadeaway”. It deserved his famous celebration of the “Silencer”.
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ The Monk / Ellington pair. In the shadow of LeBron James, it was not Russell Westbrook or Carmelo Anthony who were the most prominent, but Malik Monk (17 points) and Wayne Ellington (14 points). On the one hand, the regular Monk often played the sparks out of the bench for the Lakers, with his nerve and his energy which always boost his team in attack (and even in defense). On the other hand, Ellington rocked the 3-point game in the final act, which he finished 3/4 behind the arc, to bring Los Angeles back into contact. Valiant soldiers, therefore, determining to accompany their “King” this night.
⛔ Rick Carlisle. If one had to find a culprit on the Pacers side, it would probably be their coach. Already unable to adjust to what the Lakers were offering all evening, the former coach of the Mavericks allowed himself to scuttle his team with his choices. One wonders why the rookie Chris Duarte has benefited from all the shots in overtime, without Domantas Sabonis touching a ball inside, without Anthony Davis. We also wonder about the long absence of Myles Turner in the last act, more mobile than a Sabonis, with five faults, and constantly targeted by LeBron James on defensive changes.
LEBRON JAMES ALSO DID THE VACUUM
While he was already cleaning the Pacers on the floor, LeBron James also allowed himself to clean the stands of the Bankers Life Fieldhouse. In full extension, two spectators in their twenties, undoubtedly too provocative for the winger’s taste, were effectively forced to leave the room.
It’s hard to know what really happened, but LeBron James did not hesitate to alert the referees, then security, just after registering a big 3-point shoot to put Los Angeles at +3 (117 -114).
THE FOLLOWING
Indiana (8-12) : Toronto reception, Friday night to Saturday (2:00 am).
Los Angeles (10-10) : reception in Sacramento, Friday night to Saturday (4:30 am).
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