Last night, for Christmas Day, the two Los Angeles franchises shone with their fine performances.
First of all the Lakers, authors of a rather unexpected defeat in the first game of the season. The title holders had to confirm their status. They did it honorably against Luca Doncic’s Mavericks.
This meeting was led up and down by Los Angeles led by the usual Anthony Davis (28 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists) and LeBron James (22 points, 7 rebounds and 10 assists).
Opposite, Doncic scored 27 points, took 4 rebounds and distilled 7 assists. The young player was in charge of keeping the house in the absence of his teammate Kristaps Porzingis. He did it pretty well since his team really showed good collective play, but well below the level of the Champions who have really raised their level compared to the previous meeting.
The result is final, 138 to 115 for the Lakers.
The clippers also secured against Denver. The meeting starts off on hats for the latter. However the Murray Jokic duo did not intend to let themselves go in their Arena. Especially since Murray’s play (23 points) is rather convincing and Jokic is in great shape. He was one rebound from registering his second triple double in two games (24 points, 9 rebounds and 10 assists).
But opposite, the usual Paul George (23 points, 5 rebounds and 9 assists) and Kawhi Leonard (21 points, 5 rebounds, 7 assists and 4 steals) made an exemplary game. Note the very good performance of our little Frenchy Nicolas Batum with his double double at 13 points and 10 rebounds!
The meeting was dominated by the head and shoulders clippers even if Denver showed a real desire to come back to the score more than once.
The highlight of this match is undoubtedly Kawhi’s injury. During the last quarter, on a pitifully executed shot from Patrick Beverley at three points, Kawhi Leonard positions himself on the rebound to recover the ball but appears Serge Ibaka who gives him a violent nudge in the face while trying to take the rebound. Kawhi collapses to the bloody ground.
The meeting ends with the clippers’ bench for a final victory 121 to 108.
Valentin Dubois
Also read the details of Kawhi’s injury by clicking right here:
NBA – Kawhi Leonard knocked out in full match!
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