In “back-to-back” and already guaranteed to finish in 4th place in the Western Conference, the Suns without too much surprise decided to ignore this match to rest their executives one week before the playoffs. Therefore, orphans of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, Chris Paul or even Deandre Ayton, they did their best to surprise the Lakersbut the latter were just too strong and too armed to be fooled (121-107).
Guided by a new trio D’Angelo Russell (24 marks) — Austin Reaves (22 points, 5 assists) — Malik Beasley (21 points), the players of Los Angeles were certainly pushed around for two and a half quarters, but then they found the key to make the difference against phoenixwho therefore sees his series of seven consecutive victories come to an end.
Consequently, the “Purple & Gold” retain their 7th place on the one hand, but on the other hand they will have to hope for a defeat by the Warriors or two defeats by the Clippers to integrate the Top 6 of the West and avoid the play- in.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
— Los Angeles remains in the race for the Top 6. After Wednesday’s loss to the Clippers, the Lakers knew they had to win their last two games to reach the playoffs without going through the play-in box. First objective achieved, while the second will have to be Sunday night against the Jazz. Hardly flamboyant, the men of Darvin Ham however accelerated over the course of the game and then ensured the blow, with in particular a big success from 3-pointers (18/36) to make up for their loss of ball and their uncertain defensive rebounds. Just look to Sunday’s meeting, where everything will be decided…
— Still no LeBron/Durant. The streak continues: it has now been 1,564 days, since December 25, 2018 and a clash between the Lakers and the Warriors, that LeBron James and Kevin Durant have not faced each other in the NBA. A sad series, caused by the physical glitches of one or the other, which can only be broken during the playoffs, if Los Angeles and Phoenix were to end up in the table of the West.
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ Austin Reaves and Malik Beasley. In the five and off the bench, the two backs of the Lakers were able to compensate for the blow of less well in attack of LeBron James (16 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists) and Anthony Davis (14 points, 21 rebounds, 3 blocks) . Without forcing anything and taking what the Suns defense gave them, both Reaves and Beasley allowed Los Angeles to hunker down and stay in contact when Phoenix was racing in the lead. Before stepping aside to let LeBron James and D’Angelo Russell drive the point home, along with Rui Hachimura and Troy Brown Jr, in the fourth quarter.
✅ Phoenix’s Second Knives. In view of the absences with which he had to deal, Monty Williams can be proud of his usual “role players” who, overall, responded present and matched the Lakers for two and a half quarters. Like Torrey Craig (18 points, 6 rebounds, 4 blocks), Jock Landale (17 points, 10 rebounds), Josh Okogie (16 points, 6 rebounds) or Terrence Ross (10 points, 6 assists), not to mention Cameron Payne or Bismack Biyombo before their back and knee injuries. Enough to provide guarantees in terms of rotation, as the playoffs approach.
⛔ LeBron James. We could have mentioned the clumsiness of Anthony Davis (4/12) or the waste of D’Angelo Russell ball in hand (6 lost balls), but the “King” has accumulated these two black points alone: 6/19 to shoot and 5 bullet losses. Not on a good night, he struggled to find his rhythm and his preferred shooting positions in attack but, given the adversity and the efficiency of his lieutenants, this missed performance did not have repercussions on the Los Angeles’ chances of victory.
THE FOLLOWING
LA Lakers (42-39) : Utah reception, Sunday evening (9:30 p.m.).
Phoenix (45-36) : reception of the Clippers, Sunday evening (9.30 p.m.).
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots made / Shots attempted; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D= defensive rebound; T = Total Bounces; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost bullets; Ct: Counters; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Points = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
