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Los Angeles (AFP) – Memphis, 2nd in the West, offered a heroic victory against leader Phoenix, in Friday’s NBA poster, perhaps heralding a reunion in the conference finals, during the NBA play-offs from which they are moving away a little more the Lakers, still beaten by New Orleans.
When he woke up, LeBron James wanted to be teasing by pretending on Twitter, April Fool’s Day, that he was ending his season. A few hours later, the laughter is over: LA lost (114-111) in a game better not to lose at home and his joke could well come true by April 10, the end date of the regular phase.
Because the Californians, beaten for the 5th time in a row, sink to 11th place, now with a victory behind San Antonio (10th), who did not miss the opportunity to beat (130-111) Portland to consolidate its position as a roadblocker, and three on the Pelicans (9th).
The return of Anthony Davis (23 pts, 12 rebounds) after a month and a half of absence was satisfactory but was not enough. No more than 38 points from James, who carried the team for three quarters, before disappearing in the last (2 pts). Tired, he lost a crucial ball in the last seconds and missed the shot he was hoping for the equalizer.
The Lakers still have five games to save their season, but they will be very tough (Nuggets twice, Suns, Warriors, Thunder).
Without the star Ja Morant, nor the executives Desmond Bane, Jaren Jackson and Steven Adams, the Grizzlies, who will have to be taken very seriously in the play-offs, showed no sign of weakness against the Suns, however armed with Devin Booker, author of 41 points which were therefore not enough (122-114).
“Guys who didn’t start, stood out and seized the opportunity. What a hell of a game against one of the best teams in the league,” said coach Taylor Jenkins.
Clippers record
In the wake of Dillon Brooks (30 pts), they were seven players, from a rotation limited to nine elements, to finish between 11 and 17 points.
Their furia made the difference in the money-time, a moment usually favorable to Chris Paul, who this time did not weigh (8 pts 11 assists) for the Suns conceding their first loss in ten matches.
If the first two places will not change owners, the fight for 3rd should continue until the end. Corrected in Washington (135-103), despite Luka Doncic (36 pts), Dallas thus leaves Golden State back on the podium.
Already guaranteed to finish 8th and therefore play-offs, the Clippers offered themselves a record victory at the expense of the defending champions Bucks (153-119), because they had never scored so many points in a regular season game.
In back-to-back, less than 24 hours after having each played an extension – in Brooklyn with the victory at the end for Milwaukee, in Chicago for LA finally defeated -, the two teams had decided to rest their best players (Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, Jrue Holiday, Brook Lopez on one side, Paul George, Reggie Jackson, Nicolas Batum, Marcus Morris on the other).
In this funny “open house” match, Robert Covington took the opportunity to shine, by planting 11 banderillas at long distance, for 43 points in total.
No consequence for Milwaukee in the standings, still 2nd in the East, ahead of Boston who beat Indiana (128-123).
Finally, note three excellent performances by “Frenchies” during Detroit’s victory at Oklahoma City (110-101). Killian Hayes was dominant for the Pistons (26 pts, 8 assists, 7 rebounds, 5 interceptions). Théo Maledon was also prolific (28 pts, 6 assists) for the Thunder, where Jaylen Hoard was dominant inside (20 rebounds, 11 pts).
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