After their victory the day before against their neighbors the Clippers, one would have thought that this reception by the Wizards would turn into a formality. Wrongly. Visibly worn out by their battle the previous evening, the Lakers had to go until extension to fend off the (now only) worst team in the league (the Pistons had the same record before this game).
Californians can thank their strong men, starting with a Anthony Davis which, unsurprisingly, demolished the weak racket opposite. The Lakers interior reached the threshold of 40 points scored for the third time this season. It was he who scored the last basket in the game of the match, two minutes from the end, on a serve from the inevitable LeBron James.
The latter, relatively discreet for three quarters, sought to take things in hand from the fourth quarter and was decisive in the extra period. We of course think of his huge block on Jordan Poole's dunk attempt, followed by a 3-point basket to equalize. Or his forced passage in front of Deni Avdija, finally validated after a victorious “challenge”.
The duo finished with 71 points, more than half of their team's points. No less was needed to ensure respect for the hierarchy against a team which has long believed in the feat and obtaining its 10th victory of the year. It must be said that the pace of the first period, with two defenses not very concerned, was favorable to them (70-69).
Washington had no shortage of fireworks with the former of the house Kyle Kuzma, Marvin Bagley, Corey Kispert and Jordan Poole, all four at 20 points or more, without forgetting the solid double-double of Deni Avdija. Trailing by one or two possessions in the second half, the visitors found a way to scare the Lakers. Kyle Kuzma even gave his team a three-point lead two minutes from the end of regulation time (120-123).
But Austin Reaves and Anthony Davis got closer to the circle in the finale, when Jordan Poole missed the game-winning shot. We know the rest for the Lakers who compensated for their little 3-point evening with 82 points scored in the opposing racket (compared to 62 for the Wizards).
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– 9 more points before 40,000. It was thought that with the extra five minutes, LeBron James might take advantage of the opportunity to make a push and reach 40,000 career points. The “King” finally finished 9 units from this bar. Barring a cataclysm, the best scorer in history will become the first player to pass this oh-so-symbolic bar this Saturday when they host the Nuggets.
– Jordan Poole regains color. We left behind with a poor performance against his former team, which came after his season record against the Cavs. Jordan Poole set a new record this year this night by showing more good than less good. Less madness in his choices in short. His shot 43 seconds from the end, to give his team a two-point lead, looked like a game-winning shot. Especially since Bagley countered James behind. The same James contested his attempt at a “buzzer beater” before an “OT” during which he did not exist.
– The start of a long series for the Lakers. This victory against the Wizards opened a series of six games in a row at home, and even 10 games out of 11. The less good news for them is that it was the most affordable match of this sequence since the Californians will continue with the Nuggets, the Thunder, the Kings, the Bucks or even the Wolves…
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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.
