The season opener in the NBA is approaching, and the best league teams in the world are continuing their prep games for the real thing.
Four such games were held tonight (Thursday through Friday).
The Los Angeles Lakers finished their preseason with a sixth loss out of six games, this time 116: 112 to Sacramento (0: 4 in preparation).
LeBron James led the loser with 30 points, Russell Westbrook added 18 alongside five assists and three steals, Carmelo Anthony contributed 15 points, and Diandra Jordan finished with 12 points and 11 rebounds.
The winner was led by Diaron Fox with 21 points, Terence Davis came off the bench and added 20 points (6 of 13 off the arc).
The Lakers will open the regular season on Wednesday morning (05:00) in a game against Golden State, with the constellation built in Los Angeles hoping to put the preseason losses behind them and start on the right foot.
Brooklyn (1: 3) managed without Kyrie Irving and defeated Minnesota 101: 107 (1: 3).
Joe Harris excelled with 23 points and seven threes, Kevin Durant added 19 and Marcus Aldridge scored 16 points (8 of 8 from the penalty line).
James Harden finished with just 6 points and lost 5 balls, but also handed out 14 assists.
On the other side Anthony Edwards finished with 23 points.
Durant, Tonight, Photo: EPA
Denver (4: 1) achieved its first preseason victory, 107: 113 over Oklahoma City (3: 1) after overtime.
Marcus Howard buried three 30 seconds to go in overtime that closed out the game, which was tight throughout.
Howard finished as the Nuggets' leading scorer with 31 points (9 of 17 from three).
The loser was led by Alexei Fukushevsky with 22 points.
Atlanta (2: 2) easily defeated Miami 92: 127 (1: 4) with Trey Young excelling with 27 points and 15 assists.
The Hawks went up to a double-digit lead after just 6 minutes, and only increased it until the end of the game.
Young.
Fiery, Photo: Getty Images
