The Los Angeles Lakers have a small chance to escape the dam. Without LeBron James, whose return to the game after two months of absence (ankle) has again been postponed by a day – the superstar is expected to play this Tuesday night against Houston -, the defending champions have snatched a success after extra time Tuesday at home against the New York Knicks (101-99) thanks to a three-point shot from the back Talen Horton-Tucker 21 seconds from the end, before blocking access to the basket on the last possession of Tom’s players Thibodeau, forcing RJ Barrett to miss a shot in a difficult situation.
– –
In a match with great defensive intensity, Anthony Davis (20 points to 8 of 23 shooting) was omnipresent on the decisive possessions of the Knicks, at the end of regulation time (91-91) as in overtime, to ensure the stops especially on Julius Randle (31 points but 11 of 26 on shots).
– –
He was assisted by Andre Drummond (16 points, 18 rebounds), Kyle Kuzma (23 points) and Horton-Tucker (10 assists, 7 of 13 points in overtime) while fullback Alex Caruso only played seven minutes due to a foot injury.
– –
Fullback Wesley Matthew converted an offensive rebound and edged out Derrick Rose (27 points) to force overtime while the Knicks had their hand at the end of regulation time.
– –
With this setback, New York has not formalized its place in the play-offs, after eight years of absence, but remains on a very favorable waiver with three wins ahead of Boston, the two teams being face to face next Sunday. Frank Ntilikina played 23 minutes, his biggest game time since March 19, for 9 points, 2 assists and 2 steals.
– –
After Utah, Golden State returns Phoenix
Twenty-four hours after surprising the leader Utah (119-116) and securing their place in the play-off, the Golden State Warriors made a big turnaround in the second half, at home against the runners-up of the Jazz, the Phoenix Suns , by winning (122-116) despite a Stephen Curry in difficulty shooting (7 of 22, 1 of 11 three points). Andrew Wiggins (38 points) took over and secured the win late in the game, helped by Jordan Poole (20 points) while Draymond Green signed a triple double (11 points, 10 rebounds, 11 assists).
– –
This defeat strongly compromises the slim hopes of Phoenix, now two games behind, to steal first place in the Western Conference, or even the scratch classification of the League, at the Utah Jazz.
– – .
