By beating the Clippers, the Lakers hope to get back on track

“ Extension. » LeBron James (25 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists) was convinced that Norman Powell's buzzer-beating shot would send Lakers And Clippers in the five additional minutes of play. “ He sure looked good. Right in the target “, reports the leader of the Lakers.

But the off-balance shot from the Clippers back ricocheted off the circle, without going in. The “home” team thus won by three small points and above all put an end to a bad series of four defeats in a row.

“ We played as if we needed to win, as if victory was obligatory. We fought on both ends of the field. All we have to do is build on this foundation. We know what we have in the locker room. We know what it takes to win, and we showed it tonight », Appreciates Anthony Davis (22 points, 10 rebounds).

Counting on “others”

This night, the two leaders of the team received support from Taurean Prince and D'Angelo Russell, who had missed the last three games, authors of 13 points each.

The first, served by the second, notably converted an ultra “clutch” 3-point shot at the head of the racket, one minute from time. Then he made two equally important free throws in the final moments.

“ All these guys helped us win, they made important shots, that's what we need. You need 'the others' to win titles and matches. And these guys were phenomenal tonight. And when they play well, it makes it easier for Bron and me “, continues “AD”.

“ Everyone contributed and competed at a very high level. I am proud of them. We found the right formula this time, in terms of how we should approach each match and do it collectively », adds Darvin Ham whose nine players used contributed to the “scoring”.

Still too many errors

This victory, marked by the defensive seriousness of the Lakers (the Clippers shot with just under 40% success), allows the Californians to breathe after a streak of 3 victories in 13 games. But LeBron James considers that his team still commits “ too many mistakes » to have the feeling of having turned the tide.

Example with the foul committed by Taurean Prince on a 3-point shot from Norman Powell, which allowed the latter to equalize two minutes from the end with three free throws. “ I made a big mistake. I was completely wrong. I immediately told myself that I wanted to redeem myself, the opportunity presented itself and I took advantage of it », Testifies the winger while talking about his converted shot a minute later.

Now let's see the effects of this success against this big team from the West, which played with its four superstars.

“ We have to continue to improve, try to use that to propel us a little further. We played better, but that doesn't take away from the way we played the last 11 or 12 games », Recalls LeBron James, whose team continues this week with the reception of the Raptors, then the Suns.