What an incredible scenario at the Crypto.com Arena tonight!
For the return of LeBron James (29 points, 13 rebounds, 10 assists), the Lakers and the Knicks actually fought a duel full of twists and turns, so much so that he decided after overtime. And it was finally the “Purple & Gold” who took over New York, at the end of the suspense (122-115).
In addition to the “King”, in triple-double therefore, and his friend Anthony Davis (28 points, 17 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, 4 blocks), it is not Russell Westbrook but Malik Monk (29 points) who was the third thief of the Californian “Big Three”.
It was also necessary to resist the assaults of the tandem RJ Barrett (36 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists) – Julius Randle (32 points, 16 rebounds, 7 assists), too short in overtime to hope to overthrow Los Angeles, which sign there his most beautiful reversal of situation of the season.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
— The return of LeBron James. After missing the last five Lakers games, the “King” finally found competition tonight. Author of a big triple-double, it is almost as if he had not been injured recently, since he impressed and shone as before his injury. Solid, and above all well supported by the duo Anthony Davis – Malik Monk, the quadruple MVP was one of the great craftsmen of the comeback from Los Angeles. Thanks, in particular, to this first half where he held his team at arm’s length with “AD”, while it sank before the collective mastery of the Knicks. A boss match, as so often.
— The click of Malik Monk. Completely out of the game before the break, to the point of being up to 21 points behind, the Lakers were somehow saved by the awakening, or rather the heatstroke, of their just 24-year-old back. Before that, LeBron James and Anthony Davis were clearly too lonely at the “Purple & Gold”, and the former Hornets player therefore pulled out all the stops, at 3-pts or in the paint, to revive Los Angeles. Confident, and author of 18 points in the third quarter, 5 more than all the Knicks (!), He then continued to score by taking advantage of what the opposing defense offered him.
— The two faces of New York. Collectively irresistible in the first half, articulating in all directions with disconcerting, if not insolent, ease, the Knicks then completely foiled after the break. Unable to make a shot, even less at 3-pts, Tom Thibodeau’s men collapsed over the minutes, while the Lakers defense raised their voices. The more time passed, the more the balance of power was reversed. And even if RJ Barrett, heroic, tried to offer a reprieve to his people, by snatching the extension, he ended on the kneecaps. Unable to prevent the defeat of his team, so…
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ Anthony Davis. Frustrating this season, “AD” finds its sensations and its omnipresence in the rackets of the league. And, this, on each side of the floor. Still author of a very big double-double, the interior of the Lakers was undoubtedly the most regular of his team, since he stood out from start to finish. Even when the “Purple & Gold” took on water, the “Brow” floated under the panels to bring his own, along with LeBron James. Complete as possible, he led by example and above all proved that he was returning to his best level (if he is not already).
✅ RJ Barrett and Julius Randle. Apart from Evan Fournier and Alec Burks in streaks, no other Knicks player has stood out as much as the Barrett-Randle pair. Even if it, like all of his team, died after the break. Nevertheless, the back and the strong winger of New York carried the New York franchise at arm’s length this night, in all areas. In scoring of course, both in painting and behind the arc, but also in rebounding and creating. And we will especially remember the first half of a found Randle, as well as the end of the fourth quarter of Barrett, heroic.
⛔ Russell Westbrook. Trevor Ariza or even Talen Horton-Tucker could also have been cited, until they caught up in overtime. It was therefore impossible for us to miss the terrible new performance of the Lakers point guard, which is really painful to watch. Author of only 5 points, a horrible 1/10 on shots, and with 4 bullet losses, the “Brodie” seems to be at an impasse in Los Angeles. To date, the team is generally playing better without him, as evidenced by the extra time, for example, and Frank Vogel has therefore once again been without him for the decisive moments.
⛔ Kemba Walker. After Russell Westbrook, it is another leader still All-Star two years ago who is holed up today. Admittedly author of a correct first half, because undoubtedly much helped by the passivity of the “defense” of the Lakers, the Knicks player finally disappeared over the course of the game. Remaining nailed to the bench from the fourth quarter! Unrecognizable, losing confidence and bearings on the floor, as when he refused an open “layup” on the counter-attack, the former Hornets was in line with his last two games, finished at … zero points .
THE FOLLOWING
Los Angeles (26-28) : reception of Milwaukee, on the night of Tuesday to Wednesday (04:00).
New York (24-29) : trip to Utah, in the night from Monday to Tuesday (03:00).
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
–
