Boneless by the Clippers of Ivica Zubac (31 points and 29 rebounds!) the day before, the Pacers challenged the other team Los Angeles in back to back. Namely the Lakersincidentally winners of five of their last six outings.
Despite the return ofAnthony Davis (25 points, 13 rebounds, 6 assists, 4 blocks), the “Purple & Gold” could not follow up this night, since they lost (116-115) against Indiana. Or should we rather say collapsed, because they wasted a 17-point lead in the last ten minutes of this game, before conceding a 3-pts at the buzzer…Andrew Nembhard (12 marks)!
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
— Los Angeles collapsed. Leading by 17 points (101-84) ten minutes from the end, after this run from 27-13 achieved in just over five minutes, straddling the last two quarters, the Lakers then relaxed when they seemed to have done the hardest part. Under the impetus of Bennedict Mathurin and Aaron Nesmith, then Tyrese Haliburton, the Pacers gradually nibbled away to come back to a possession of their hosts. Fighting, they finally punctuated their crazy comeback in the most beautiful way: on a 3-point shot that came out of nowhere from rookie Andrew Nembhard, hero of the evening at the buzzer!
— Bennedict Mathurin met LeBron James. Remember last summer: A lot of people say he’s a great player. I want to see that. I don’t think anyone is better than me. He’s gonna have to show it to me “Said Mathurin, just drafted by the Pacers, about James. Five months later, the rookie was able to defy the legend and he even offered himself the luxury of dominating him collectively, making a nice copy against him as a bonus: 23 points and 8 rebounds, 10/22 on shots (against 21 points and 7 rebounds, but at 8/22). With especially several precious baskets to keep Indiana alive at the end…
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ Tyrese Haliburton. Author of 24 points, 7 rebounds and 14 assists in 35 minutes, 10/22 on shots and 3/7 from 3-pts, all without losing a single ball (for the 3rd game in a row!), the leader of the Pacers shone again tonight. On track to be All-Star, he masterfully led his team, cutting the opposing defense between scoring and distribution. Above all, the 22-year-old was decisive when needed, in the last act. It was he who snatched the offensive rebound, then cleverly fixed the defenders and shifted Andrew Nembhard, on the final possession of the match…
✅ Anthony Davis. After missing the last game due to calf discomfort, “AD” was back in business and he was once again very good for the Lakers on both sides of the floor. Blackening the stats sheet as he knows how to do so well and above all carrying the team when LeBron James, certainly author of a hot start but less influential after he hurt his ankle (again…), was in the tough. We can however regret that he was hardly served in the last ten minutes, when Los Angeles would have greatly needed his points…
⛔ The last ten minutes of Los Angeles. Boosted in particular by the super passage of Russell Westbrook (24 points, 6 assists) and their other substitutes, the Lakers were supposed to win a quiet and altogether logical victory, when they led 101-84 in the fourth quarter. Yes, but here it is: too loose because probably too easy, they were punished by this catchy Pacers team, which never gave up. Between regrettable ball losses, bad shots taken (and missed) by LeBron James, inability to serve Anthony Davis under the circle or lax defense, these errors cost dearly on arrival…
A $75,000 BASKET FOR A FAN
Just before the start of the fourth quarter, a spectator had the usual opportunity to attempt a shot from midfield, to pocket a check for $75,000 if successful.
And for the first time since January 2020, the lucky shooter was able to convert his (very) long distance attempt, before celebrating with some Lakers players, including Anthony Davis!
Enough to make him forget the defeat of his team…
THE FOLLOWING
Los Angeles (7-12) : reception of Portland, on the night of Wednesday to Thursday (04:30).
Indiana (12-8) : trip to Sacramento, in the night from Wednesday to Thursday (04:00).
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