James shines again in loss, Jokic saves Denver
With 46 points, including a stratospheric, 9 award-winning baskets, but very alone, LeBron James could not prevent another defeat for the Lakers against the Clippers on Tuesday in the NBA (133-115), and Nikola Jokic was able to save Denver in the New . Orleans (99-98).
Has “LBJ” ever been so strong at 38? The question now pops up with every release of his, almost always tagged “masterclass”. Has averaged 35 points and 51.8% shooting success in 10 games this January.
At a very high rate, it is enough to catch Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (38,387 points), because he needs only 178 units to overtake the legend in the ranking of the best scorers in history.
During this Angeleno derby, LBJ (8 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 steals) took advantage of the opportunity to break his personal best behind the arc while boasting that he now leads all league teams in at least 40 points.
LeBron James (#6) shoots during an NBA game between the LA Lakers and the LA Clippers, January 24, 2023 in Los Angeles / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP
And so he rang the bell in vain for the Lakers, who were comatose and in Gruyere mode for three quarters against the collectively more effective Clippers behind Paul George (27 points, 9 rebounds) and Kawhi Leonard (25 points, 9). rbds).
– “We have to help him” –
“LeBron is playing at an incredible level, I’m happy for him, but we have to improve. We have to continue to fight, play together and help him,” head coach Darwin Ham understood the urgency.
Stuck at No. 13, the Lakers are indeed far from the playoffs. Nikolas Batum’s Clippers (4 points, 6 assists, 6 rebounds) continue to gain momentum and are in 5th place.
At the top of the conference, Denver had a scare, squandering a 19-point lead in New Orleans, eventually winning to the wire thanks to Nikola Jokic.
LA Clippers’ Terance Mann (#14) attempts a three-pointer during an NBA game against the LA Lakers on January 24, 2023 in Los Angeles / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP
Not satisfied with the new triple-double (25 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists), the 4th in a row and the 15th of the season, the two-time MVP hit the winning basket from the mid-range with 16.9 seconds. from the end.
Despite this fifth straight setback, the Pelicans, who will be out for two more weeks (hamstring), remain in No. 4.
Especially since Dallas (6th) had to lose at home to Washington (127-126). Luka Doncic still struggled, scoring 41 points (15 rebounds, 6 assists), but Kyle Kuzma (30 points) hit the free throw (11th in the East) with 5 seconds left for the Wizards.
– Boston stops again –
In Phoenix, the Suns (7th) won their fourth straight at the expense of Charlotte (128-97).
Dallas Mavericks’ Slovenian star Luka Doncic (#77) during an NBA loss against the Washington Wizards on January 24, 2023 in Dallas / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP
Boston, the leader in the East, accepted its second consecutive loss in Miami (98-95), poorly managed in the last quarter and paid for 30 points from Bam Adebayo.
The absence of Jaylen Brown (adductor), Al Horford (back), Malcolm Brogdon (personal reasons) and Marcus Smart (ankle), however, was too heavy for the Celtics, who led by 10 units (87-77). last quarter, thanks to Jayson Tatum (31 points, 14 rebounds).
The Heat, without Jimmy Butler (back), scored 15 points while missing ten straight shots by the C’s. The latter still tied the score (95-95) on Grant Williams’ long-range banderilla in the final minute.
But Adebayo (15 rbds) was clumsy (9 points on 4/19) in this matchup, but Tyler Herro, who intercepted Tatum’s pass and was decisive, put Miami back on a backhand layup with 20 seconds left. final possession.
Miami remains sixth behind Cleveland (105-103) at New York (105-103), where Julius Randle (36 points, 13 rebounds) sparkled with eight baskets behind the arc. All without Evan Fournier, sorry for his wife giving birth to their second child.
