Russell Westbrook of the LA Lakers fouls Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA on November 12, 2023 in Los Angeles (GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/KEVORK DJANSEZIAN)
Luka Doncic, still in triple-double, took out the savior suit for Dallas, winner at LeBron James and the Lakers after double overtime, Thursday in the NBA where Boston, more than ever boss in the East, is is imposed without trembling at his dolphin Brooklyn.
The fight was fierce in Los Angeles between the two teams, with a physical commitment worthy of the play-offs, a rather unlikely scenario that ended in a thriller. And in the end, it was the Mavs who won (119-115).
Doncic, author of 35 points, 14 rebounds and 13 assists, was all the more decisive as he took out two baskets behind the arc to snatch two “overtimes”, while the Lakers thought they had victory after a come- back in the last quarter to erase nineteen lengths behind.
LA Lakers’ LeBron James entangled in the Dallas Mavericks NBA defense on November 12, 2023 in Los Angeles (GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/KEVORK DJANSEZIAN)
“The meeting was very physical, we had to stay in the game, despite the drop in energy at the end”, commented the Slovenian prodigy, welcoming in passing the performance of Spencer Dinwiddie (17 pts) “which was decisive” , author of two spectacular dunks in overtime that shook the Californians.
And what about Christian Wood, effective in attack (24 pts) and impassable in defense, with five successful counterattacks including two on Lebron James, yet storming the circle for the win?
– Lillard scores in vain –
“LBJ” could not win LA but he was not unworthy at all (24 pts, 16 rebounds, 9 assists), except at long distance with seven failures in as many attempts. Russell Westbrook was also in the game (28 pts), still generous in the effort.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder attacks the basket during the NBA game against the Philadelphia 76ers on January 12, 2023 in Philadelphia ( GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/Mitchell Leff )
Combative, the Lakers nevertheless slipped to 13th place in the West, doubled by Oklahoma City. The Thunder was able to count on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, excellent, author of 37 points (at 10/16, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 blocks) to surprise Philadelphia (133-114).
The 24-year-old fullback, who is taking a big leap this season (4th leading scorer in the league), was able to contain Philly’s comeback attempt almost single-handedly in the fourth quarter, after a late wake-up call from Joel Embiid (30 pts, 10 rebounds).
In 11th place, Portland also stagnates, defeated (119-113) for the fifth time in a row, by Cleveland, despite 50 points from Damian Lillard.
In the East, without Kevin Durant, who will miss them for at least two weeks with a sprained right knee, the Nets did more than resist against the Celtics, but the latter were able to make the difference in defense in the last quarter, to win (109-98).
– Milwaukee perd –
The finalist of the last championship was deprived of Jaylen Brown, hit in an adductor. And without his attacking partner, Jayson Tatum was not in his usual standards (20 pts at 7/22, 11 rebounds), although finishing as his team’s top scorer.
It is collectively that the C’s were stronger, with five other players at least 11 points, including the precious Malcolm Brogdon (16 pts). They especially knew how to beef up their game at the end, guided by the expert in the field Marcus Smart (16 pts, 10 assists).
Opposite, Kyrie Irving made a correct copy (24 pts), well supported by TJ Warren (20 pts) and Joe Harris (18 pts), Ben Simmons making himself useful (13 assists, 9 rebounds, 2 interceptions) without scoring any point (0/3).
Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics during the NBA game against the Brooklyn Nets on January 12, 2023 in New York City ( GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AL BELLO )
With this fifth success in a row, Boston increases its lead at the top of the standings ahead of Brooklyn, because Milwaukee (3rd), deprived of Giannis Antetokounmpo, suffering from left knee, was also beaten, in Miami (108-102) where Jimmy Butler ( 17 pts, 11 rebounds) left the spotlight to Gabe Vincent (28 pts, new personal best).
Bam Adebayo (24 pts, 12 rebounds) also contributed greatly to the victory of the Floridians (8th), against the Bucks where only Jrue Holiday (24 pts, 11 assists) survived.
