Published on : 26/01/2022 – 08:08
Los Angeles (AFP) – The Lakers, taking advantage of the return of Anthony Davis after 17 games away, and carried by LeBron James, still exceptional, showed their best face in Brooklyn (106-96), Tuesday in the NBA where the Clippers managed the 2nd most big comeback in history in Washington.
With Davis, it’s necessarily better. An “alley-oop” (pass in the air) from “LBJ” addressed to “AD”, who had just set a screen, to open the scoring. A counter of the latter then on James Harden, enhanced by Russell Westbrook left like a ball in transition.
Here are two types of actions involving the “Big3”, which can still validate the Lakers project, too fickle in the first part of the season, if they manage to repeat them. The weeks will tell if these automatisms solidify, but in the meantime this success can be perceived as a click.
“His mere presence on the floor, his impact, his dynamism, his defense bring us so much …”, reacted “King James”, who again flew over the debates (33 pts, 12/21 on shots, 7 rebounds , 6 assists) and was very happy to find his teammate (8 pts, 4 blocks and 2 assists), finally valid after his sprained left knee.
When the Nets returned to two lengths (71-69) in the 3rd quarter, James, as a boss, put gas back into the Californian engine, with seven points in quick succession which calmed the opposing inclinations. And in the money-time, he intercepted twice in 40 seconds and dunked behind each time, for the biggest gap of the match (100-85).
On the Brooklyn side (3rd in the East), the absences of Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant obviously weighed on Brooklyn, despite all the efforts of James Harden in triple-double mode (33 pts, 12 rebounds, 11 assists).
Warriors on fire
Returning to equilibrium (24-24), the Lakers remain 8th in the West, ahead of the Clippers (9th) who managed the second biggest comeback in history by winning in Washington (116-115 ) after being 35 points behind before the break.
After a catastrophic first period, which prompted coach Tyron Lue to bench Reggie Jackson and Ivica Zubac, who were failing, the second unit of the Clips succeeded in the improbable, with an exceptional streak from Luke Kennard (25 pts) , who put up seven points in the last nine seconds, including a shot behind the arc off balance with the foul as a bonus before the buzzer.
Nicolas Batum, diminished by a painful back and also deprived of the second half during which his team scored 80 points (!), did not fail to thank his teammates on Twitter: “THANK YOU!!! We owe you a big candle But what is this madness?
Also notable, the correction (130-92) inflicted by Golden State (2nd) on Dallas (6th), who also had the misfortune to deplore the fracture in the left foot of Tim Hardaway Jr.
A great collective effort rewarded skillful Warriors (53.3%), like Jonathan Kuminga (22 pts at 8/9). Stephen Curry (18 pts, 9 rebounds, 7 assists), Klay Thompson (15 pts, 6 assists) and Jordan Poole (17 pts) contributed.
On the Mavs side, Luka Doncic (25 pts, 8 rebounds) did not play the last quarter, preferring to spare his neck, which has been painful for several matches.
Finally, Joel Embiid was still a hit (42 pts, 14 rebounds, 4 against) to win (117-107) Philadelphia against New Orleans.
Ditto for Nikola Jokic (28 pts, 21 rebounds, 9 assists), decisive in Denver’s victory (110-105) in Detroit, where Killian Hayes, substitute, brought (6 pts, 8 assists).
© 2022 AFP
