The Lakers see the qualifying play-offs for the play-offs getting further and further away, after their sixth straight loss against Denver on Sunday in the NBA, where Luka Doncic stole the show from Giannis Antetokounmpo during Dallas’ success in Milwaukee . LA stood up to the Nuggets for a long time (129-118) before cracking in the money-time. Because in the end, the absence of LeBron James, required to rest his painful left ankle for the 4th time in six matches, inevitably weighed. He scored 38 points in the loss to New Orleans on Friday…
The Lakers 11th and badly embarked
For his second game in a row, after a month and a half without playing, Anthony Davis was nevertheless successful (28 pts, 9 rebounds, 8 assists, 3 blocks). And Russell Westbrook, often criticized for his bad choices this season, played fair and well (27 pts, 11/15 on shots, 10 rebounds). But they came across Nikola Jokic. The reigning MVP, certainly sinning with too many stray bullets (7) was their executioner (38 pts, 18 rebounds, 6 assists). Will Barton, very skilful behind the arc (6/8) also contributed (25 pts).
If the Nuggets consolidate their 5th place in the West, the Lakers remain stuck in 11th place, still ahead of San Antonio (10th), who beat Portland (113-92). Spurs are two wins up, with four games remaining for each side by the end of the regular season. The calculations have already been launched, but Californian coach Frank Vogel assures us not to “be preoccupied with math». «I worry about the next game. I draw lessons from this defeat for the next meeting, hoping to obtain a victory against Phoenix.»
Luka brille chez Giannis
That is. But a setback on Tuesday against the Suns, leaders of the championship who conceded a surprise defeat in Oklahoma City (117-96), could then mathematically mark the elimination of the 2020 champion from the race for the play-offs and sound the end of the game. a nightmare season.
Earlier, the other poster of the day saw the Mavericks (4th in the West) impose on the defending champions Bucks (118-112), thanks to a new performance of size from Luka Doncic, very fit in recent weeks. . The Slovenian prodigy scored 32 points (15 assists, 8 rebounds) including 11 in the last quarter. In its wake, the collective was effective since five players scored between 11 and 22 units. Opposite, Giannis Antetokounmpo did not deserve (28 pts, 10 rebounds) and Jrue Holiday either (20 pts, 9 assists). But Milwaukee, after its heavy setback at the Clippers on Friday (153-119), must again give up its 2nd place in Boston.
The Celtics made short work of the Wizards (144-102) at TD Garden. Jaylen Brown was his team’s top scorer (32 pts), well supported by Jayson Tatum (22 pts). In front of them, the leader Miami has a little more strengthened his chances of finishing seeded N.1 in the play-offs, that is to say with the advantage of the floor, thanks to his victory in Toronto (114-109 ). Without Jimmy Butler (toe), the Heat could count on Max Strus (23 pts), Victor Oladipo (21 pts) and Tyler Herro (18 pts, 9 assists, 8 rebounds).
In 4th place, with the same record as the Bucks (48-30) is Philadelphia, winner (112-108) of a tight match in Cleveland (7th). The Sixers were again carried by Joel Embiid (44 pts, 17 rebounds, 5 blocks) imperial inside, James Harden scoring a triple-double (21 pts, 10 assists, 10 rebounds).
