New Orleans (dpa) – The Los Angeles Lakers around basketball superstar LeBron James have won their play-in duel with the New Orleans Pelicans and qualified for the playoffs. The NBA record champions won 110:106, secured seventh place in the seeding list and will now face defending champion Denver Nuggets. “We’ve got our ticket to the postseason, that’s a good win,” James told the TV station TNT.
Regarding the repeat of the Western Conference Finals from last season, when the Nuggets won clearly, he said: “It’s a difficult test of strength, we have to make it difficult for them. They will make it difficult for us.” The Pelicans have one last chance at the playoffs against the Sacramento Kings.
The Lakers were 18 points ahead at one point, but lost control in the final quarter and allowed the Pelicans to equalize with a 19:8 run. Zion Williamson in particular was much more dangerous than on Sunday, when the Lakers clearly won 124:108 in the last game of the main round and Williamson only had twelve points. His basket to make it 95:95 less than three and a half minutes before the end brought him to 40 points – but then he apparently went to the dressing room in pain and never came back.
Warriors with Steph Curry eliminated
The Pelicans equalized two more times after that, but they were no longer able to take the lead and with confident free throws, LA secured the victory. With 23 points, 9 rebounds and 9 assists, James was the game’s second best shooter. Anthony Davis had 20 points and 15 rebounds.
The Pelicans will now face the Sacramento Kings on Friday, against whom they have won all of the last five games. In a duel between two teams from Northern California, the Kings surprisingly prevailed against the Golden State Warriors 118:94. Kings professional Keegan Murray was the most dangerous thrower on the pitch with 32 points.
Stephen Curry finished his season with 22 points and the Warriors were eliminated with the loss. Klay Thompson had a very weak evening and didn’t hit any of his ten attempts. He remained without points.
© dpa-infocom, dpa:240417-99-702637/3
2024-04-17 03:05:26
#Basketball #Lakers #playoff #entry #perfect #victory #Orleans #Sports
