LeBron James’ Los Angeles Lakers will therefore not join the Chicago Bulls (1998-1999) in history as the only NBA champions not to have participated in the play-offs the following year. Wednesday night, in a play-in game as crazy as it is exciting against the Golden State Warriors (103-100) at Staples Center, the Angelenos validated their ticket for the play-offs (in seventh position in the West) and a first round against the Phoenix Suns (2nd) of Chris Paul and Devin Booker.
It all happened at the start of the last minute when the two teams were tied (100-100). The Lakers’ possession looked doomed and the possession clock was approaching zero. And then Kentavious Caldwell-Pope who tried to venture into the circle without success brought the ball out for LeBron James, alone but two good yards behind the three-point shot line. While Steph Curry tried to go up in defense like hell, the star of the Lakers did not hesitate the slightest hundredth of a second, cocking his arm and delivering a perfect shot, from more than 10 meters, coming to stroke the net of the basket of Warriors under the gaze of a vexed Curry, more used to playing executioners than victims in this kind of action. LeBron James, who had missed his previous eight shots in this late game, had not put a single basket this far this season. “After taking a finger in Draymond’s eye (Green, during an action shortly before), I saw three baskets so I aimed for the one in the middle “, he joked on ESPN at the end of the game.
This brilliant action capped a captivating match where Curry tried everything to avoid the Warriors a second dam against Memphis, winner (100-96) of San Antonio. The leader of Golden State, author in particular of a crazy basket at the buzzer of the first half, amassed 37 points (6/9 behind the arc), 7 rebounds and 3 assists. And if Andrew Wiggins (21 points) responded, Steve Kerr’s team would have needed a larger offensive contribution from Draymond Green (excellent in almost all areas, especially defense, but not the skill with a 0/5 shooting) or Kent Bazemore (3/10).
Triple-double pour LeBron James
On the Lakers side, it was Dennis Schroder who missed out with a meager 3/14 shooting (12 points). But everything is easier when you have such a LeBron James (22 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists for a triple-double which will not count in the statistics of the regular season, nor in those of the play-offs, a confirmed the NBA), Anthony Davis (25 points, 12 rebounds) or Alex Caruso in tune with the two stars (14 points).
In the end, Golden State may especially regret not having been able to keep the advantage of thirteen points acquired at the break (55-42) but the minutes played without Curry on the ground weighed too heavily. The Warriors, who will try to find the play-offs, missed last year after five consecutive finals, have only 48 hours to recover before playing, at home against the Grizzlies, a decisive new game, like a second game 7th in a row, except that it will be eliminatory for them this time.
At the end of the day, there will be the formidable honor of taking eighth place in the conference and challenging Utah Jazz, the best team of the regular season, in the first round. Even before knowing the verdict of this meeting, one thing is certain, the “request” of LeBron James, formulated a few weeks ago, to ” fire “ whoever had imagined this format of play-in, new this season, has no chance of succeeding. The spectacle, intensity and script of Wednesday’s game were of too great a quality for the NBA to regret its choice.
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