Los Angeles, still without James, returns to win after three defeats thanks to the 30 points of AD, decisive in the fourth period. Portland is the third knockout in a row
It was necessary to win. How, for the Lakers, it mattered little. Los Angeles managed to do just that, but it took a tremendous effort to beat derelict Portland 99-94 at home. LeBron James was missing, out for the fourth game in a row with a dangerously swollen left knee, and then Anthony Davis made the star plays, fundamental in the sprint of the fourth period with 11 points and 8 rebounds. AD has put in that commitment and determination that are the ingredients that the Lakers have been missing all season, those that, according to the players and yellow-violet coaches, prevent them from turning. It will not be this victory over Portland that will change the Los Angeles season, but it will at least serve to give her some oxygen after three bad defeats.
The driver
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Davis is the hero of the Lakers (25 won-27 lost so far). He closes with 30 points and 15 rebounds, in the fourth period finally understanding how to break down the wall Jusuf Nurkic, who had put him in difficulty in the first three halves. AD played like a star, shone in an overall bad game for the Lakers, fluctuating in defense and too often undecided in attack (42.3% from the field). Vogel’s team needed someone to put effort and determination into it, and Davis didn’t hold back. How did Carmelo Anthony, for a long time the best of the Lakers in the field and on the scoresheet with 24 points in 33 ‘and 8/12 shooting: crystalline class and always deadly shooting, even in the 19th NBA season. Westbrook put in 13 assists but in attack it didn’t work (3/12 shooting) like Malik Monk, 7 points and 2/10 shooting for a flop after so many positive matches. Overall, the Lakers come out of this game with more shadows than lights, but the victory shows that the team reacted not at the moment.
In crisis
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This defeat was not needed to certify that Portland’s season (21-31) is a disaster. The Blazers also tried, recovering the -13 they had accumulated at the beginning of the second quarter, but in the final period they died in attack, unable to find a way to hurt the Lakers, who did nothing special to win. The most consistent was Norman Powell, 30 points with 5 triples on target, but in Portland to avoid the third straight and fifth defeat in the last 6 games something special would have been needed from CJ McCollum, who instead ended with 15 points and 5 / 17 from the field. Nurkic (16 with 13 rebounds) for three quarters stood up to Davis, then melting in the final. If the season ended today, Portland would play the PlayIn: however, the objectives were very different and this is why the Blazers are planning to redo their look before the end of the market next Thursday.
The match
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The wild Carmelo (18 points at rest) leads the Lakers to 31-18 at the beginning of the second quarter. After the 0/8 of the first period, however, Portland finds the shot from outside (8/13 in the second set) and comes back under dragged by Powell (12 points in the period) and Simons (11): at the interval the advantage of Los Angeles is minimal, 54-53. McCollum from three leads Portland for the first time in the opening of the second half: the Lakers struggle (6/20 shooting in the third quarter), but the Blazers do not take advantage of it. The last quarter begins with the guests ahead 75-72: Davis slowly rises in tone taking his teammates with him, but Portland holds out despite a few too many offensive blackouts and 2’44 ”from the end equalized with Powell on 89. It is Davis’ determination to prevent the Lakers from sinking again.
LA Lakers:Davis 30 (10/18 from two, 10/14 free throws), Anthony 24, Bradley 11. Rebounds: Davis 15. Assists: Westbrook 13.
Portland:Powell 30 (5/9, 5/11, 5/6 tl), Simons 19, Nurkic 16. Rebounds: Nurkic 13, Covington 13. Assist: Covington 9.
February 3 – 07:46
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