The Lakers and their legend were defeated on the floor of the Bucks and took over the lead of the Western Conference.
The Los Angeles Lakers, defending champions, won (113-106) on the floor of Milwaukee, one of their most serious rivals, LeBron James showing himself imperial to win his duel of superstars with Giannis Antetokounmpo, Thursday in the NBA. The “Greek Freak” may be the reigning double MVP, but the King has yet shown he remains the boss when it counts.
An image symbolized this state of affairs fifteen seconds from the end, when the first, excluded for six faults a few moments before, watched, annoyed and helpless on the bench, LBJ hit a final dunk to establish the success of his family. Decisive, the latter thus managed 12 of his 34 points in the last quarter (more than 50% success in shots, 6/10 behind the arc), to which were added 8 assists and 6 rebounds. In his wake, but also that of Anthony Davis (18 pts, 9 rebounds, 6 assists) and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, a real X factor with his seven long distance baskets (23 pts), LA did not let the doubt to settle after his surprise defeat at home against Golden State (115-113) and recovers his chair of leader in the West, in front of the Clippers.
“We remain the best defense in the league”
Anthony davis
“We do everything not to lose two games in a row, that’s kind of our mantra. Against the Warriors we were not happy to have let the victory slip away, so tonight we entered the field combative with the desire to rectify the situation and show that we remain the best defense in the league, ”said Davis commented afterwards.
The Bucks also fought well, like Antetokounmpo who scored an impressive counter on James. But the winger, author of 25 points (11 rebounds, 3 assists) was finally penalized by too many faults committed and also sinned by a number of stray balls (9) extremely penalizing. And if Khris Middleton (20 pts, 7 assists) and Jrue Holiday (22 pts, 7 assists) were also active, the players from the bench had a minimal contribution with 16 points, half less than those opposite. After this second loss in a row, three days after that conceded to Brooklyn (125-123) against James Harden and Kevin Durant, the Bucks slip to 3rd place in the East.
Two other matches were played in the evening, Utah against New Orleans (129-118) and Golden State against New York (104-119).
