Dirty night for the Lakers, beaten Sunday by Denver (122-105). In addition, Los Angeles star Anthony Davis, already in trouble with his right Achilles tendon, was forced to join the locker room in the second quarter, again affected. He is due to undergo an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) this Monday, the day before the Lakers game in Minnesota. Davis had already missed both games against Oklahoma City last week.
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Sunday night, before leaving his teammates, he scored 15 points in 14 minutes. His exit allowed the Nuggets to take off and lead by twelve points at the break. In his absence, the 22 points (9 of 18 on shots), 19 rebounds and 9 assists from LeBron James were not enough to lead the Lakers to success against the Nuggets led by the duo Jokic-Murray. Nikola Jokic slammed a triple double with 23 points in 35 minutes, 16 assists and 10 rebounds, and Jamal Murray 25 points (7 of 15 on shots), took 6 rebounds and delivered 4 assists.
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The other franchise in LA, the Clippers dominated Cleveland (128-111) on his floor thanks to a Lou Williams gala: 30 points in 32 minutes, 10 of 22 on shots, with the added bonus of 10 assists and 2 rebounds. Nicolas Batum had to settle for three points, two rebounds and one against in 30 minutes of play.
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Fiery duel between Doncic and Lillard
In Texas, Portland got the better of the Dallas Mavericks (121-118) yet carried by a fiery Luka Doncic: 44 points in 36 minutes for the Slovenian (14 of 20 on shots, 9 assists, 7 rebounds) who had the ball to get extra time but his long-distance shot hit the hoop before coming out. The Blazers owe their salvation to Damian Lillard author of 7 of his 34 points (and 11 assists) in the final 90 seconds of the game. This is the first loss in five games for Dallas, now 11th in the West. With this fourth success in a row, Portland remains 5th.
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Second in the East, Milwaukee gave in the last quarter to Oklahoma City (114-109), despite the triple double from Giannis Antetokounmpo (24 points, 17 rebounds, 10 assists). But the Thunder’s major five made the difference with at least 10 points each (22 points for Justin Jackson, 20 for Al Horford).
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And five in six matches for the Spurs, winners in Charlotte (122-110), despite a first quarter time dominated by the Hornets (33-17). Dejountay Murray (25 points, 12 rebounds) and Derrick White (25 points) spearheaded San Antonio where four other players scored ten or more points.
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Side Hornets, the rookie LaMelo Ball was very complete (17 points, 12 rebounds, 8 assists). Charlotte now shares her 6th place in the East with New York, ahead of Toronto who conceded a second consecutive loss, at home, against Minnesota (116-112). The Timberwolves, still last in the West, ended a four-game losing streak, thanks in particular to Karl-Anthony Towns (20 points, 11 rebounds) who broke the franchise record for the number of three-point baskets, with his successful 521st, overtaking Andrew Wiggins.
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Durant could miss two matches
The “caves” also rebelled in the East, since Washington and Detroit, respectively last and penultimate, beat Boston (104-91) and New Orleans (123-112). The Wizards were notably carried by the inevitable Bradley Beal (35 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists).
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Note that Kevin Durant could miss at least the next two games of the Brooklyn Nets, this Monday in Sacramento and Tuesday in Phoenix, due to a hamstring injury. Phoenix who won on the floor of Orlando (109-90), private of Evan Fournier, still in delicacy with his back.
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