All conversations will focus on this LeBron James shot, bitten or not, 3 seconds from the end. It's logic. Nevertheless, there was a match before between the Wolves and the Lakers, sometimes spectacular, often with waste, but rather good overall. It is also the Californians who started it the best, with an 8-0. For once, they who usually have so much trouble in the first quarter.
But it doesn't last as Minnesota responds with an 18-4. With a big Anthony Davis (17 points and 8 rebounds in twelve minutes), the Lakers hold on and stay in front (29-31). Their lead swelled a little at the start of the second quarter as they took advantage of their opponent's numerous lost balls. When the Wolves become more economical, the match becomes balanced, as proven by the score at the break (61-57).
In a few seconds, LeBron James started everything again
Returning from the locker room, Anthony Edwards is uninspired. He's forcing himself and, like this third quarter, it's very messy. Things get heated in the final seconds with Rudy Gobert and Naz Reid, but the Lakers are still in the game (82-77). Anthony Edwards wakes up and makes baskets in the last act.
LeBron James and Anthony Davis respond to him. On a winning basket from Mike Conley, there is a seven-point lead, 30 seconds from the end. We then say to ourselves that it is folded.
But LeBron James quickly scores three points, Austin Reaves adds a free throw, before this famous shot where the “King” apparently has his foot on the line according to the referees who reviewed the action. Los Angeles therefore does not equalize and Anthony Edwards scores a free throw to give his team two points in advance. LeBron James doesn't even manage to shoot on the last possession and the Wolves win 108-106.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– Foot on the line of discord. After a meeting where the players constantly looked at the referees with big eyes and called for fouls on almost every contact, it could only end with an arbitration decision. Reviewing the images, officials believe the Lakers star had his toe on the line. LeBron James disagrees. “It’s obviously a 3-pt. My foot is behind the line, you can see the space between my foot and the line. Steve Wonder can see that”replies the one who celebrated his 39th birthday this Saturday evening and was not sure of playing, being ill before the meeting.
– The lack of support around LeBron James and Anthony Davis. It was a big game against a strong defense for the Lakers, so the challenge was complicated. If the two stars were at the level (59 points in total), and even if LeBron James waited until the end of the match to really make an impact, the others lacked impact. Austin Reaves missed out, Rui Hachimura and Cam Reddish too. Christian Wood certainly showed himself in the last quarter with two award-winning baskets. But no player comes to score more than ten points to assist the two All-Stars. To overthrow one of the best teams in the league at home, it's not enough.
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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.
