As they followed each other in the ranking, respectively in 8th and 9th place in the West, the Suns and the Lakers needed to win in this late-night meeting. Both to widen the gap and to reduce it as the final sprint of this regular season approaches.
Finally, the logic was respected because it is the better ranked of the two teams, namely Phoenixwhich brought down (123-113) the lowest ranked, Los Angeles therefore, at the end of a controlled match. Allowing the Arizona franchise to move up a rank (7th) and push the “Purple & Gold” back a notch (10th), while waiting for the other posters of the day.
To make things easier for themselves, and this part, the Suns relied on Kevin Durant (22 points, 7 assists, 5 rebounds) and Devin Booker (21 points, 9 assists) of course, but above all on Grayson Allen (24 points), Royce O'Neale (20 points, 10 rebounds) and Jusuf Nurkic (18 points, 22 rebounds, 7 assists). A significant contribution from their major five, to which LeBron James (28 points, 12 assists, 7 rebounds), Anthony Davis (22 points, 14 rebounds, 3 steals), D'Angelo Russell (20 points, 7 assists) were unable to respond, despite several unsuccessful close attempts.
TO REMEMBER
– Phoenix strikes from the start and does not release the embrace. Authors of a 45-28 in the first quarter alone, the Suns did not experience a delay in ignition, quite the contrary, and they were able to capitalize all afternoon on this successful start. Showcasing their domination inside (14 offensive rebounds, for 22 second chance points) in the wake of Jusuf Nurkic, and having a number of solutions around Kevin Durant and Devin Booker to punish the Lakers from afar (12/22 3-pointers for Grayson Allen and Royce O'Neale). A success as authoritative as it was beneficial for the confidence of Frank Vogel's men.
– Los Angeles never really threatening. Forced to chase the score from start to finish, the Lakers were logically beaten by a much more solid, diligent and collectively armed Suns team. Surprisingly, and without Bradley Beal, it was not the Durant/Booker duo that penalized them the most, but rather the contribution of the “role players” such as Jusuf Nurkic, Grayson Allen and Royce O'Neale. Offensively, the “Purple & Gold” were not necessarily bad, but they were just on the street defensively, especially under the rim. Which handicapped them throughout the match when they hoped to get back on track.
– Historic scoring duel. In terms of unusual statistics, the one concerning LeBron James and Kevin Durant today is worth the detour. Between them, they accumulated 68,194 points in the regular season at the jump and this is quite simply the highest total in history between two opponents, “LBJ” and “KD” doing better than the 67,331 points from Michael Jordan and Karl Malone in February 2003. See you next season to further improve this mark?
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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.
