NBA: the Lakers beat the Thunder, Lillard leads the Bucks to victory over the Clippers
The fight for the top of the Western standings continues, thanks to Milwaukee’s victory over the Clippers. Minnesota, Memphis and Utah Jazz also did well.
On NBA night, the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 116-104.
Russell and Anthony Davis (24) combined for 50 points, while LeBron James added 19 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists in a win that ultimately proved comfortable for the 17-time NBA champions.
Oklahoma City entered the match as the leader of the Western Conference: the defeat caused Oklahoma City (42-19) to lose the lead in the West, with the Minnesota Timberwolves taking first place. The Lakers have risen to 34-29 and are now in ninth place.
Meanwhile, Damian Lillard turned in an incredible 41-point performance, helping the Milwaukee Bucks shake off Giannis Antetokounmpo’s injury absence and defeat the Los Angeles Clippers 113-106.
With Antetokounmpo ruled out shortly before kick-off due to tendon pain and with Khris Middleton already unavailable due to injury, the Bucks achieved their sixth consecutive victory, taking them to 41-21, and confirming second place in the Eastern Conference behind Boston (48-12).
Bucks coach Doc Rivers accused some members of his team of being in vacation mode before the All-Star Game’s midseason break last month. But Lillard revealed that the Bucks are reaping the benefits of a clarifying meeting that kicked off the team’s unbeaten streak.
“Finally from the break we had a great chat as a team, Doc went through a lot of things, challenged us to do some things differently – and I think we accepted that as a team,” Lillard said. “Before the break there were a lot of things we weren’t committed to doing together. But now I think everyone is seeing the result of us all being together on both sides of the court.”
Success also for Minnesota, which overtook Oklahoma City thanks to the 119-114 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers in Minneapolis.
Frenchman Rudy Gobert was decisive with 25 points, 16 rebounds and three blocks. Anthony Edwards, however, finished with 13 points off the bench on a night in which six Minnesota players reached double figures.
2024-03-05 09:32:54
#NBA #nights #games
