[Epoch Times, April 4, 2022](Epoch Times reporter Xu Jiangsheng comprehensive report) The NBA regular season is drawing to a close, and the last few games are crucial. On April 3, the Lakers lost again, suffered a 6-game losing streak, and their hopes of entering the playoffs were even slimmer. After this campaign, the Lakers 31 wins and 47 losses, 1.5 games behind the 10th Spurs in the West. There are only 4 games left in the game, which means that the Lakers will win and the Spurs will lose 3 games.
On April 2, after the victory over the Jazz, the Warriors had more wins than the Minnesota Timberwolves in the remaining games. Even if they lost all the next games, it would be impossible for them to fall out of the top six in the Western Conference. So far, the Warriors have completely locked in a season. In the playoffs, the next thing they have to do is to keep the top four positions in the West as much as possible and have home field advantage in the first round of the playoffs.
Lakers out of the playoffs
On the afternoon of April 3, the Los Angeles Lakers played against the Denver Nuggets at home. Although Davis and Westbrook teamed up for 55 points, Jokic scored 38 points, 18 rebounds and 6 assists. Both Barton and Gordon scored 20+ points. They led the team to a climax in the final quarter to establish an advantage, and the Nuggets defeated the Nuggets away. Lakers. The Lakers swallowed a 6-game losing streak, and they continued to rank 11th in the standings, and the gap between them and the Spurs was further widened to 1.5 wins. They are edging away from the playoffs.
The Lakers’ top star, James, was absent. The Lakers, playing at home, got off to a good start, with a 12-5 lead. And ended the first quarter with a 28:24 lead. The Nuggets chased 4 points in a row to start the second quarter, and Westbrook led the team to fight back with 4 points to lead again. Since then, the score has risen alternately. At the end of this quarter, Barton suddenly fired and scored 6 points. He led his team to counterattack with 8:2, and the Nuggets overtook 1 point to end the first half with 62:61.
Easy side battles again, Monk and Howard teamed up for 6 points, and the Lakers led 72:67. Jokic scored a layup, and the two teams saw each other for several rounds. Gordon led his team to chase 7 points in a row, and the Nuggets tied 78. In the latter part of the three quarters, Jokic’s strong attack was still working. Westbrook made free throws and jumpers in a row. After the three quarters, the Lakers were already behind at 94:95.
In the fourth quarter, the stalemate situation was completely broken. Davin Reed and Monty Morris made consecutive foul free throws in the middle of this section, and the Nuggets extended the difference to more than 10 points. Brother Nongmei and Westbrook teamed up to attack, trying to help the Lakers catch up, but the Nuggets firmly grasped the advantage. With 1 minute and 08 seconds left in the game, the suspense was basically killed as Jokic made a free throw into the net. In the end, after the game was over, the Nuggets defeated the Lakers 129:118.
Thompson breaks out, Warriors complete big comeback
After losing to the Phoenix Suns on March 30, the Golden State Warriors suffered another four-game losing streak this season. Their reputation hit rock bottom at one point, and the Warriors were seen as having a hard time winning any game after Stephen Curry’s injury, losing seven of their last eight games. On April 2, the Warriors ushered in the challenge of the Utah Jazz at home. Facing this team that had just ended a 5-game losing streak, the recent situation was equally tragic. The Warriors, who had suffered a 4-game losing streak before, were eager to defeat their opponents and end the losing streak.
After the start of the game, the Jazz turned back to the main team and quickly led 7:0. They ended the first quarter with a 7-point lead at 30:23. After the start of the second quarter, the Warriors’ offense suddenly misfired. The Jazz led by 19 points with 47:28. The Warriors continued to strike after a timeout. Mitchell made two free throws to widen the advantage to 21 points. The Jazz led by 13 points at 58:45 in the first half.
After the halftime adjustment, the Warriors completely found their form on the offensive end. Thompson hit a series of long-range shots in the third quarter. He hit 5 goals in 7 shots, and scored 12 points and 1 rebound in a single quarter. Poole and Wiggins contributed together. With 10 points, the Warriors team shot 54.5% of the three-pointers in this quarter, ending the quarter 81:87 behind by 6 points.
In the fourth quarter, Jazz Conley and Clarkson made three-pointers in a row, and the difference was once back to 16 points. It was at the critical moment of deciding the outcome that Klay Thompson stood up. He made 3 consecutive three-pointers in one minute in the middle of this quarter, leading the team to a climax, chasing the point difference to 99:103 and falling behind to 4. point. The Jazz were forced to call a timeout, but it didn’t work. Klay made another three-pointer and Poole also made a three-pointer. With 3 minutes and 30 seconds left in the game, the Warriors overtook 105:103. They took the lead for the first time in the game and maintained the advantage to the end.
In the end, the Warriors defeated the Jazz 111:107 at home, and they completed a 21-point reversal against the Jazz. After winning this victory, the Warriors also locked in the Western Conference playoffs.
Responsible editor: Li Rongshi
