“Back-to-back” perilous to negotiate for Los Angelesthat welcomes the Mavericksbut who was at least able to benefit from the blowout from the day before against Utah to give his executives some breathing room.
However, this did not prevent the Lakers to seem short of juice last night, especially from this second quarter where they conceded a 33-21, only to find themselves trailing by around twenty points at the break. The fault, of course, is Luka Doncic (30 points, 12 rebounds, 8 assists) and Kyrie Irving (28 points, 6 rebounds), who exploited the defensive weakness of the Californians on the outside positions.
It remains that the Mavericks, in control most of the match, saw the lights go out and ended up letting the “Purple & Gold” come back in the last quarter. A standard comeback initiated by LeBron James (26 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assists) and Austin Reaves (17 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists), thanks to a successful 30-13 over the period!
However, Los Angeles negotiated its last minute badly, Kyrie Irving took responsibility and the Texans managed to secure, through pain, this precious victory against a direct opponent in the rankings (104-101).
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– Dallas resists Los Angeles robbery attempt. The Mavericks were scared, but they held on against the Lakers. While we imagined them heading quietly towards a great victory twelve minutes from the end, especially against a “back-to-back” opponent, Jason Kidd’s men did not score a basket during… eight minutes, leaving LeBron James and Austin Reaves to cause them misery on defense. Result: Los Angeles came back together, until it got back in front, but Dallas nevertheless managed to secure the essentials in the final minute.
– Kyrie Irving has the last word on LeBron James. Before the game, he was already the player who scored the most points per game (9.2) in the fourth quarter. “LBJ” therefore lived up to his status, scoring 16 of his 26 points in this same period, to reignite the suspense in the game. To the point of putting the Lakers in control with one minute remaining! Problem: “Uncle Drew” was there to respond, with 3-pointers then with free throws, to ensure the success of the Mavericks, despite a final, failed attempt by the “King” to go into overtime. He who had lost a ball just before…
– Derek Lively II hit in the back. This is the black point of the Mavericks’ evening: the injury of their rookie, starting at the pivot position. A heavy fall occurred in the third quarter, after an “alley-oop” attempt. Helped to leave the field without putting weight on his left leg, the 12th choice of the last Draft did not then return to play. While waiting for news of his state of health.
How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
