Under the eyes of Lil Wayne and of course LeBron James, the Suns enter the game better with a Devin Booker on the heels of his match at OKC (14-11). Thanks to Austin Reaves, introduced in the starting five and author of 10 points in the 1st quarter, the Lakers are in the game. Phoenix leads 26-23 after the first 12 minutes.
Under the impetus of Wenyen Gabriel and Malik Beasley, the Lakers started the second quarter very well with a 16-8, which allowed them to have a 5-point lead (39-34). As the Suns pick up the score, the momentum will pass completely on the side of Los Angeles with a run of 12-0, which allows the men of Darvin Ham to make the break (58-46). At halftime, the Lakers lead 59-52.
Upon returning from the locker room, the Lakers defense responds, limiting offensive solutions for Phoenix. On a floater, Austin Reaves again offers his team a 12-point lead (72-60). Devin Booker will then score 14 points in the 3rd quarter to allow the Suns to come back to only 3 points at the end of it (88-85).
Devin Booker, author of 29 points already, continues to hurt the Lakers by bringing Phoenix to just one point (95-94). But when the latter leaves to rest on the bench, the attack of the Suns flounders and struggles to find solutions. Opposite, the Lakers, through Anthony Davis, took the opportunity to regain an 8-point lead (106-98). Monty Williams’ men will never pick up, and the Lakers win 122-111.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– The big operation of the Lakers. It’s a victory that does a lot of good for Los Angeles. Overall better, the Lakers logically won against the Suns. A victory that allows LeBron James’ teammates to return to the top 10 in the West synonymous with “play-in” following Utah’s defeat against Portland. But that’s not all, the Lakers are only 2 wins behind on 4th place, held by their evening opponent whom they will find on April 7.
– Phoenix in danger. It is a 5th defeat in 6 games for the band to Devin Booker, who has not advanced at all in the standings since the injury of Kevin Durant. If they could still consider aiming for the top 3 in the West two weeks ago, the Suns are going to have to start looking back as the herd is coming back, and they’re not far from getting sucked into this incredible battle of the play in.
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ Austin Reaves. Introduced in the starting five in place of Malik Beasley, he once again contributed strongly to the victory of the Lakers with 25 points and 11 assists at 60% shooting.
✅ Anthony Davis. Deandre Ayton absent in the opposing racket, he logically dominated Bismack Biyombo and Jock Landale who did not make the weight. He finished with 27 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists at 56% shooting.
✅ D’Angelo Russell. In difficulty in the last games, he was very good this time with 26 points and 6 assists at 69% shooting including 50% from 3-pointers.
✅ Devin Booker. Top scorer of the match, he was the only danger on the Suns side, not really helped by his teammates. He finished with 33 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists at 69% shooting.
⛔️Josh Okogie. In 20 minutes on the floor, he did not put any basket (0/5).
⛔️ Terrence Ross. Supposed to bring a spark off the bench, he did not find the target tonight with only 1 shot in 6.
THE FOLLOWING
Lakers (36-37): reception of the Thunder on the night of Friday to Saturday (3:30).
Suns (38-34): trip to the Kings overnight from Friday to Saturday (3H).
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