Still orphans of LeBron James, the Lakers begin to find a nice cruising speed in the absence of their boss. Guided once again by a Anthony Davis great nights (30 points, 18 rebounds and 3 steals), they thus signed their third victory in a row this night, against Spurs powerless through and through (123-92).
A one-sided match, therefore, which will have seen the “Purple & Gold” leave no chance to the Texan franchise, taking the advantage from the first minutes and constantly increasing it over the course of the game, to succeed their most great collective performance of the season. In the wake of a “AD” still monstrous under the panels…
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
— The Lakers in steamroller mode. 34-20 after twelve minutes, 66-48 at halftime and 95-67 after three quarters, for a +32 at the finish: it is an understatement to say that the “Purple & Gold” have walked on the Spurs today. Without LeBron James, the miracle recipe is all found, because they just have to water balloons Anthony Davis, who loves to punish the small ball opponent, then to let the “little ones” enjoy the spaces created by their interior. And when the Los Angeles players can run as a bonus, thanks to the losses of the ball caused, while being aggressive towards the circle, not much can happen to them.
— Anthony Davis continues his work. Aware that the salvation of the Lakers would go through him, Darvin Ham wanted to make him the central piece of his attack and, with the absence of LeBron James, the Californian coach is having a field day, because “AD” is simply unplayable for three games: 35 points and 17 rebounds on average! Imperial in attack, where he misses nothing – or almost – in shooting (62%) and throws (92%), the All-Star interior offers a bonus quality defense, to remind those who have forgotten that he remains a reference to his position, when injuries spare him and he decides to play to his strengths.
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ Austin Reaves. In the shadow of Anthony Davis, the young rear of the Lakers is also in the shape of his life, with his best outing of the season in scoring (21 points) and a fourth consecutive game at least 15 points. More and more liberated in attack, where he does not hesitate to draw from afar, keep the ball in isolation or throw the systems, but also valuable and involved in defense, the 24-year-old player is now part of the elements base of Darvin Ham. Difficult, under these conditions, to get it out of the five. Even when LeBron James returns?
✅ The Los Angeles collective as a whole. In addition to Anthony Davis and Austin Reaves, five Lakers players also finished at 10 points or more: Thomas Bryant (15 points, 9 rebounds), Lonnie Walker IV (14 points), Dennis Schröder (13 points), Kendrick Nunn (13 points) and finally Russell Westbrook (10 points, 10 assists). Typically the kind of match that allows an entire team to pump up their confidence as Darvin Ham’s men now test themselves against Phoenix.
⛔ San Antonio. Surprisingly attractive during the first two weeks of competition, the Spurs have begun to take a serious hit for three weeks: ten defeats in twelve games and a fifth loss in a row. Without Jakob Poeltl (nor Gregg Popovich, ill), Anthony Davis had a boulevard in the racket and this one was not asked to torture the Texans, unable to compete with these Lakers and taken by the throat at each start of halftime. A collective sinking, illustrated by the terrible performance of Keldon Johnson: 12 points, 4/20 on shots, including 1/10 at 3-pts…
THE FOLLOWING
Los Angeles (5-10) : trip to Phoenix, overnight from Tuesday to Wednesday (04:00).
San Antonio (6-12) : reception of New Orleans, on the night of Wednesday to Thursday (02:00).
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