The best Anthony Davis of the season led the Los Angeles Lakers to an unexpected 123-110 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Sunday’s NBA game, in which Luka Doncic was sent off for hitting Collin Sexton in the groin.
Frustrated by the Lakers’ falling position, an extra-motivated Davis took over the offensive leadership of the team to add 42 points – his best mark of the season – with 12 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals and 3 blocks.
The pivot overcame several physical discomforts and hard falls to stay on track for 40 minutes and ensure the victory against the solvent Suns, who occupy the second position in the Western conference.
Davis sealed the victory with a spectacular back ‘alley-oop’ with 34 seconds remaining, which he celebrated with a cry of relief alongside his teammates on the bench, including the injured LeBron James.
The Lakers, who hope to get LeBron back next week, occupy the seventh position in the West and are close to 1 win over the Portland Trail Blazers, who have the last place that gives direct access to the playoffs without the need for a playoff.
The Suns figures had a low-key night, with guard Devin Booker adding 21 points and veteran Chris Paul another 13 points and 10 assists.
– Dallas wins with Doncic out –
Slovenian point guard Luka Doncic was sent off in the Dallas Mavericks 124-97 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers for hitting point guard Collin Sexton.
Early in the second half, Sexton collided with Doncic to earn him position under the rim for the Mavericks and the Slovenian responded by hitting him with his right arm in the groin, leading to a flagrant foul and his automatic ejection.
“I knew it hit him, but I didn’t know where until I saw the replay,” Doncic said later. “Nothing was on purpose. Those things happen a lot in the game. It was just two guys fighting for a rebound, I guess.”
Sexton, the first to make contact, said he had no resentment because it was “just a basketball play after all.”
The Mavericks took the victory despite the absence in the second half of Doncic, who went to the locker room with 15 points in 22 minutes of play.
Guard Tim Hardaway Jr. was Dallas’ leading scorer with 25 points while Sexton finished with 24 for the Cavaliers.
– Knicks baten a Clippers –
The surprising New York Knicks beat 106-100 in their visit to the Los Angeles Clippers and consolidated their fourth place in the East with a recital of Derrick Rose like their best times.
The veteran point guard added 25 points, 6 rebounds and 8 assists in 32 minutes from the bench.
Guard Reggie Bullock accompanied Rose with 24 points and 5 triples while New York star, power forward All-Star Julius Randle, had 14 points and 14 rebounds.
The Knicks’ fierce defense, implemented by coach Tom Thibodeau, kept Los Angeles figures Kawhi Leonard (29 points) and Paul George (18) at bay.
The Knicks, who remain one win ahead of the Atlanta Hawks (5th in the East) and the Miami Heat (6th), are close to securing their berth to the playoffs for the first time since the 2012-13 season.
“Now we feel like we can beat anyone,” Randle stressed. “We are confident as a team. Anyone can take a step forward, that’s the good thing about our team.”
– Lonzo beats his brother LaMelo –
Point guard Lonzo Ball and his New Orleans Pelicans beat his younger brother LaMelo’s Charlotte Hornets 112-110.
Lonzo had 12 points and 6 assists and Spanish center Willy Hernángomez 9 points and 16 rebounds for the Pelicans, who have lost stars Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram through injury.
LaMelo Ball, candidate for the Rookie of the Year award, had 22 points and 5 assists and left the Hornets’ offensive lead to the inspired Terry Rozier, who reached 43 points with 7 triples.
Results of Sunday’s day in the NBA:
Boston Celtics – Miami Heat 124-130
LA Clippers – New York Knicks 100-106
Charlotte Hornets – New Orleans Pelicans 110-112
Cleveland Cavaliers – Dallas Mavericks 97-124
Orlando Magic – Minnesota Timberwolves 96-128
Detroit Pistons – Chicago Bulls 96-108
LA Lakers – Phoenix Suns 123-110
Sacramento Kings – Oklahoma City Thunder 126-98
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