As since the start of the season, Anthony Davis dominated the debates in the first quarter. Impressive in attack as in defense, the interior is everywhere and carries Los Angeles during a 19-2 which hurts the Suns very much.
Logically, the Lakers won the first act (25-34). Mike Budenholzer's men then reacted, with a much better defense in place. Anthony Davis is less found, Phoenix goes 16-4 and takes control at the break (50-48).
Except that it doesn't hold because Kevin Durant is clumsy. The Lakers took advantage, diabolical at 3-points in this third quarter, to pass a 13-2 and take the lead before the last act (76-83). But with LeBron James far from his best level and Anthony Davis (29 points, 15 rebounds) less precise, the Californians are unable to kill the match. Kevin Durant regains his sensations, plays the ball almost alone, and the Suns come back.
Certainly, with a few baskets from Austin Reaves, the Lakers can still hope to take this match but with the energy of Royce O'Neale and the points of “KD”, Phoenix comes out 109-105 and inflicts a first setback on the troops of JJ Redick.
WHAT TO REMEMBER
– LeBron James uninspired. We believed for a long time that he was not going to cross the 10 point mark. That is to say if the All-Star of the Lakers was not in his match. The numbers show it: 11 points at 3/14 on the shoot and a +/- of -17! In the last quarter, at an important moment, he followed up with a lost ball on a risky pass and a missed 3-pointer after a too-quick shot. He never seemed in the rhythm of the match, nor capable of making a difference. A real match without for him and it's rare.
– Royce O'Neale comes to help Kevin Durant and Devin Booker. The Suns' final quarter wasn't exactly a model of team play, with actions often boiling down to giving the ball to Devin Booker (33 points) and Kevin Durant (30 points) and letting them find solutions. Which they did. However, the two Olympic champions were helped by the activity of Royce O'Neale which must be highlighted. In the last quarter, he scored 5 points, grabbed 5 rebounds and blocked 2 shots.
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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.
