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The Lakers and LeBron offer a final to avoid the dams

2021-05-17T09:49:34.319Z


With LeBron James back, THE defending champion won in Indiana on Saturday and can still directly advance to the play-offs in the West, with New York still able to compete as the number 4 seed in the West. 'Is.


The Lakers believe it

On this day of posthumous induction of Kobe Bryant into the Hall of Fame, LA had above all the head to impose itself among the Pacers, sine qua non condition to hope to avoid the dams.

Mission not always simple, but accomplished (122-115).

The same will have to be fulfilled on Sunday for the final game of the regular season in New Orleans, hoping Portland loses to Denver.

Otherwise it will be the Blazers who will finish 6th and go directly to the play-offs.

In the meantime, the Lakers had the great satisfaction of seeing LeBron James return (24 pts, 8 assists, 7 rebounds) in good shape and clearly finally rid of his sprained ankle which had made him miss 40 days first, then one more week after an inconclusive return. It was he who finished repelling the Pacers with six points in a row registered in the last two minutes. At his side, Anthony Davis showed that he was getting closer to his best level (28 pts, 10 rebounds, 5 assists), supported inside by Andre Drummond (11 pts, 15 rebounds, 2 blocks), Dennis Schröder ( 14 pts) also returning to the field after seven missed matches (Covid-19 protocol). The alchemy obviously remains to be perfected, but in full, the bit to the tooth, Californians will not be good to take,whether in the jump-off or in the first round of the play-offs. The Pacers, who made the accordion to the score without ever being able to reverse the situation, despite Caris LeVert (28 pts, 12 assists), slip to 10th place of last play-off in the East.

One-possession game in crunch time.



Cue three straight @KingJames buckets



(: @SpectrumSN) pic.twitter.com/dxCCAsnd0q

- Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) May 15, 2021

New York can finish 4th

Already qualified for the play-offs, a first for eight years, the Knicks can finish seeded N.4 in the East, after their victory at the expense of Charlotte (118-109) after extra time.

The New Yorkers are ahead of Atlanta (5th) and Miami (6th).

If they beat Boston on Sunday, they will cement their position for good.

Julius Randle, author of a triple-double (33 pts, 13 assists, 10 rebounds), was preponderant in the 40th success of the season of his team, even if it is two baskets behind the arc of Alec Burks ( 14 pts) and Reggie Bullock (17 pts) who were decisive in extra time.

Despite this setback, the Hornets remain in 8th position.

But could give it to the Wizards (9th), if they lose Sunday in Washington.

The winner will face Boston in the dam (7th) who beat Minnesota (124-108) thanks to Jayson Tatum (26 pts) and Evan Fournier (18 pts).

Brooklyn has its destiny in hand

The Nets easily disposed of Chicago (105-91) and a victory will be enough for them Sunday against Cleveland to finish seeded N.2 in the East. Only a defeat, combined with a success of Milwaukee in Chicago, would prevent them, the Bucks having disposed of Miami (122-108). Against the Bulls, the “Big 3”, Kevin Durant (12 pts, 9 rebounds, 6 assists), James Harden (5 pts, 7 assists) and Kyrie Irving (22 pts) started at the same time. It was only the 7th time this season. One week before the play-offs, they especially need to relearn how to play well together.

Question automatisms, Milwaukee does not miss it since seven players scored between 11 and 21 points against the Heat, shooting with 53% of success.

The Floridians, who were able to count on an excellent Kendrick Nunn (31 pts), were deprived of Jimmy Butler (back).

If they beat Houston on Sunday and New York yields against Boston, they will end up seeded number 5. In the West, Phoenix (2nd) has crushed San Antonio (140-103), thanks to Devin Booker (27 pts) and may still finish seed number 1. He will have to win Sunday in his "rematch" at the Spurs and hope that Utah loses in Sacramento.

Read also

  • Dallas secures the play-offs, Washington in the play-offs

Source: lefigaro

All news articles on 2021-05-17

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