In Los Angeles, the night was hot.
Luka Doncic, still in triple-double, took out the savior suit for Dallas, winner at LeBron James and the Lakers after double overtime, Thursday in the NBA where Boston, more than ever boss in the East, is is imposed without trembling at his dolphin Brooklyn.
The fight was fierce in Los Angeles between the two teams, with a physical engagement worthy of the play-offs, a rather unlikely scenario that ended in a thriller.
And in the end, it was the Mavs who won (119-115).
35 PTS
14 REB
13 AST
4x 3P
🔥 The Stepback 3 to force the OT
🔥 The Stepback 3 to force the double OT
LUKA.
SO.
pic.twitter.com/CtR0ijrriJ
— NBA France (@NBAFRANCE) January 13, 2023
Doncic, author of 35 points, 14 rebounds and 13 assists, was all the more decisive as he took out two baskets behind the arc to snatch two “overtimes”, when the Lakers thought they had victory after a come- back in the last quarter time to clear nineteen lengths behind.
"The meeting was very physical, we had to stay in the game, despite the drop in energy at the end", commented the Slovenian prodigy, welcoming in passing the performance of Spencer Dinwiddie (17 pts) "who was decisive" , author of two spectacular dunks in overtime that shook the Californians.
And what about Christian Wood, effective in attack (24 pts) and impassable in defense, with five successful counterattacks including two on Lebron James, yet storming the circle for the win?
"LBJ" could not win LA but he was not unworthy at all (24 pts, 16 rebounds, 9 assists), except at long distance with seven failures in as many attempts.
Russell Westbrook was also in the game (28 pts), still generous in the effort.
Combative, the Lakers nevertheless slipped to 13th place in the West, doubled by Oklahoma City.
For its part, the Thunder was able to count on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, excellent, author of 37 points (at 10/16, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 blocks) to surprise Philadelphia (133-114).
