Three wins in three games. That is the perfect start to the season that presents Los Angeles Lakerswho this Saturday enjoyed a LeBron James masterful in the last quarter of the victory against Sacramento Kingswhile Dallas Maverickscon Luka Doncicstumbled on his visit to Phoenix Suns.
With JJ Redick as the new and debuting coach and with few changes to the roster, the Lakers faced a demanding start to the season against the Timberwolves, the Suns and the Kings. But the Angelenos had an outstanding time, since, after defeating Minnesota and Phoenix, they did the same this Saturday in their ‘back-to-back’ against Sacramento.
This time it was LeBron who took the helm of those in purple and gold. Oblivious to the passage of time, ‘King’ James, about to turn 40 and in his 22nd season in the league, starred with 16 points in a brutal 21-0 run for the Lakers at the start of the fourth quarter.
In the end, LeBron finished with a tremendous triple-double of 32 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists while Anthony Davis, with a crucial triple in the finale, was once again providential with 31 points and 9 rebounds. The entire starting quintet of the Lakers (3-0) finished with double figures in scoring.
On the other hand, the Kings have not yet won this season (0-2) despite Domantas Sabonis’ triple-double tonight with 29 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists. After a 10-0 record against him, this is the first time that the Lithuanian center has lost a match against Davis.
They are one of Doncic and the Mavericks’ favorite victims, but Los Suns (2-1)who had just lost on Friday in Los Angeles against the Lakers, They solved a ‘back-to-back’ with displacement by beating Dallas thanks to Kevin Durant (31 points and 9 rebounds) and Jusuf Nurkic (18 points and 14 rebounds).
Doncic gave everything for the Mavericks (1-1) with 40 points and 10 rebounds that were left without a prize. Kyrie Irving added 22 points and Klay Thompson had 19.
The game left a note in NBA history as Durant surpassed 29,000 points in his career, something that only seven players had achieved before.
With much more trouble than expected and after leading by 23 points in the second quarter, Boston Celtics remained undefeated and knew how to react before it was too late against the Pistons (0-3) who took the lead in the last quarter and put the current NBA champion on the ropes.
Jayson Tatum (37 points), Jaylen Brown (24 points and 10 rebounds) and Al Horford (17 points with 5 of 8 triples) took the reins in Boston. Jaden Ivey (26 points and 6 assists) and Cade Cunningham (21 points, 6 rebounds and 10 assists) led Detroit.
Two losses in two games accumulate the Nuggets (0-2) who, after losing to the Thunder in their debut, wasted this Saturday Nikola Jokic’s 41 points (with 7 of 12 in triples) and 9 rebounds against the Clippers (1-1).
In the Clippers, who added their first win of the campaign, Norman Powell scored 22 of his 37 points in a magnificent final quarter. James Harden also shone (23 points, 6 rebounds and 16 assists) in addition to Ivica Zubac (24 points and 15 rebounds).
The Spanish Santi Aldama played another great game and with 22 points (huge 9 of 12 in shots, 4 of 6 in triples), 7 rebounds and 5 assists He was the top scorer for the Grizzlies (2-1) in their victory against the Magic (2-1).
Franz Wagner (23 points and 7 rebounds) and Jalen Suggs (21 points and 7 rebounds) led Orlando’s offense.
The French prodigy Victor Wembanyama (29 points and 7 rebounds) was crucial in this Texan duel for the Spurs (1-1) to add their first win of the season by defeating the Rockets (2-1).
After leading by 22 points in the second quarter, San Antonio had to work until the end against Houston, which achieved a great comeback thanks to Jalen Green (29 points and 6 rebounds).
In the rest of the games, the Cleveland Cavaliers remain undefeated and are now 3-0 after beating the Washington Wizards (135-116), the Oklahoma City Thunder easily beat the Chicago Bulls (114-95), the Miami Heat beat the Charlotte Hornets (114-106) and the Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Toronto Raptors (112-101).
