No LeBron James (calf), preserved for this “back-to-back” of Lakers in Texas, but Anthony Davis was there and he shined (37 points, 10 rebounds, 4 steals) in his very first duel with Victor Wembanyamanot to be outdone either (30 points, 13 rebounds, 6 blocks, 3 interceptions).
This was necessary to allow Los Angeles to resist comeback of San Antonio in the fourth quarter, in order to win on the wire (122-119) the day after its defeat in Dallas. A logical success, because the “Purple & Gold” led almost the entire match, but snatched away, because they saw their lead go from +20 to +1 in the last act.
On arrival, the Spurs therefore concede an 18th consecutive defeat and they will have the opportunity to take their revenge on the Lakers this Friday, still at home. In what will, above all, constitute the first confrontation between LeBron James and Victor Wembanyama…
TO REMEMBER
– Los Angeles had to work. Comfortably in the lead at the start of the fourth quarter (94-74), the Lakers nevertheless saw the Spurs of the duo Victor Wembanyama – Keldon Johnson push them to their limits, because they got back to 117-116 21 seconds from time. END ! But before the Texans particularly caught fire from 3-point range, the Californians had done the job despite the “back-to-back”, gradually increasing the gap and pressing in the paint, in addition to punishing with regularity behind the arc. A convincing performance without LeBron James, even if the adversity was not the greatest.
– Victor Wembanyama darkens the sheet (again). As is often the case, the Frenchman put up his numbers in attack and defense, gaining momentum throughout the game to finish with a strong fourth quarter: 14 points, 4 rebounds and 2 100% blocks. Supported by a great Keldon Johnson (28 points, 8 assists, 5 rebounds), “Wemby” did not let himself be intimidated by Anthony Davis and he responded as best he could, dominating him in certain sequences, even if he was also taken by his elder on others. Out for six fouls in the final seconds, the number 1 of the last Draft was above all very skillful, despite 5 lost balls.
TOP/FLOP
✅ Anthony Davis. He twisted his ankle on the first possession of the match, after hurting his hip the day before, but “AD” gritted his teeth and delivered another great performance against the phenomenon Victor Wembanyama, buried at several times and even posterized before the break. A boss' match for the inside of the Lakers in the absence of LeBron James and he particularly stood out in the first half, with 24 of his 37 points, before doing it again in the last quarter , with 11 units including two baskets and important free throws in the “money-time”.
⛔️ Jeremy Sochan. Another complicated performance from the Polish-American, author of 5 small points (with 8 rebounds and 5 assists) in 29 minutes, only 2/9 shooting and with 3 ball losses. Certainly the worst performance among the Spurs starters, who all at least managed to stand out in the fourth quarter, to shake the Lakers… “All” except Sochan, who nevertheless keeps the confidence of Gregg Popovich in the lead .
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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.
