The match: Damian Lillard shines, the Blazers still undefeated
“Dame is back and he’s letting the rest of the league know“Warns Chauncey Billups. The message goes pretty well. Already author of 41 points in a great victory against Phoenix in the previous game, Damian Lillard did it again by finishing with exactly the same total against Los Angeles on Sunday night. The Trail Blazers beat the Lakers on the wire (106-104) under the impetus of their All-Star point guard.The latter was particularly inspired in the money time, as he is used to, by scoring in particular 12 points in the 5 last minutes.
Crucial baskets. Indeed, LA still led 102-95 less than 2 minutes from the final siren. But Portland finished the game 11-2. On the other hand, it was not Lillard who scored the basket for the win. Jerami Grant took care of it by taking LeBron James out of speed before finishing in the circle despite the presence of Anthony Davis (6 blocks).
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The King tried to respond to him in stride but he missed his last attempt. James still finished with 31 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists. Insufficient to avoid the Lakers a third consecutive defeat. Even if there is better in the game, and especially in defense, the Californians are still weighed down by the same shortcomings: a lack of space in attack and above all a catastrophic address at 3-points – the two being linked. They only converted 6 of their 33 long shots. Russell Westbrook, who spent a very long time on the bench in the fourth quarter, finished at 4 of 15. Los Angeles is 0-3 after a week. It’s the opposite for Portland, which has won its 3 matches and is already doing very well, like its superstar.
The player: Donovan Mitchell is still a hit
3 games with Cleveland and 3 points at 30 units or more for Donovan Mitchell. The All-Star guard quickly found his feet at the Cavaliers. He scored 37 last night, leading his team to victory against the Wizards (117-107 after overtime). The Ohio franchise could even have won earlier and avoided some scares if its superstar had been a little more attentive in the final minutes. Indeed, Mitchell lost 6 balls including 2 crucial at the end of the fourth quarter. The Wizards took the opportunity to snatch an additional 5 minutes.
The former Jazz player caught up by setting the tone in overtime, including a decisive three-point action. Cleveland won 2 of its first 3 games, as did Washington.
The surprise: 3 wins in a row for Utah!
Even without Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell, the Jazz are doing well. Perhaps even too much for the taste of the leaders, who hope to join the race for the draft (and therefore for Victor Wembanyama) this season. Utah won a third straight game by narrowly beating the Pelicans (122-121). Lauri Markkanen was the main architect of this victory. The Finn ended the game with a big double-double on the clock (31 points, 12 rebounds).
The Jazz squandered a 17-point lead in the fourth quarter, leaving their opponents to earn overtime. But the Pelicans ran out of juice in the absence of Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson (25 points), both injured during the game. Kelly Olynyk scored the liberating basket 3 seconds from the buzzer.
The shock: The Suns revive thanks to Booker
Devin Booker scored 35 points as Phoenix edged Los Angeles in the West clash of the night. The Suns have mastered their subject against Clippers deprived of Kawhi Leonard (112-95). This is the first loss of the season for the Californians. The two teams currently have the same record: 2-1.
At the state: 50
Like the number of points scored by the Warriors in the second quarter during their success against the Kings (130-125) last night. A record for the franchise. Golden State also put 89 pawns in the first half. Including 28 for Stephen Curry alone, who finished with 33 points – his third consecutive game at 30 or more units. The All-Star point guard is likely to be a very serious MVP candidate this season. The Warriors are 2 wins in 3 games while the Kings are still chasing after their first success.
The French: Rudy Gobert in power
Already the author of a very good match against the Thunder at the start of the season, Rudy Gobert repeated the performance on Sunday. His 15 points and 15 rebounds helped the Timberwolves win (116-106). Ousmane Dieng compiled 5 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists for the Thunder. Nicolas Batum only scored one basket for the Clippers but what a basket! A buzzer shot in the first quarter.
All scores
Lakers – Trail Blazers : 104-106
Hawks – Hornets : 109-126
Cavaliers – Wizards : 117-107
Pelicans – Jazz : 121-122
Thunder – Timberwolves : 106-116
Clippers – Suns : 95-112
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