It is said that nothing will be easy this season for the California franchise. Authors of a very disappointing first part of the season, the Lakers had already had to work to climb the slope, finally failing at the gates of a direct qualification in the play-offs, in 7th place.
On their floor, Tuesday night’s game against the Timberwolves (N.8) took the same form, with a happy ending this time.
“We had to fight all season, and since the cut of the All-Star (mid-February, editor’s note), we play good basketball”, summed up after the meeting “King James”, who held his rank, d a solid double-double (30 pts, 10 rebounds).
At 95 everywhere, and a handful of seconds to play, he thus put Dennis Schröder in a good position, for a basket that we then believed to be decisive (98-95). But Anthony Davis fouls veteran Mike Conley, whose last-chance three-point shot didn’t hit the mark and didn’t flinch when he converted his three shots (98-98).
The Lakers therefore had to put the work back on the job, to finally get rid of Wolves during the extension, thanks in particular to a final three-point shot missed by Taurean Prince.
Atlanta accompanies LA
“It’s the whole history of our sport – arriving in April and having the opportunity to play in the final phase”, salivated James, who became this year, at 38, the leading scorer in NBA history, and who dreams of a fifth ring.
From Sunday, however, his Lakers will have to seriously raise their level to hope to overcome the obstacle of the Grizzlies, who finished 2nd in the Western Conference.
Minnesota, deprived in California of its French pivot Rudy Gobert, suspended after an altercation with a teammate, will have a last chance to join the play-offs on Friday, against New Orleans (N.9) or Oklahoma ( N.10), who compete this Wednesday.
In the East, it was the Atlanta Hawks, 8th in the regular season, who composted their ticket for the final phase on Tuesday evening, beating the forecasts against the Miami Heat (N.7), 116 to 105.
Their leader Trae Young scored 25 points and delivered seven assists, but the Hawks can also say thank you to their bench (53 pts in total).
The Boston Celtics (N.2) are now advancing against them, while Miami, like the Wolves, will have a final catch-up session on Friday, facing the winner of the match between the Toronto Raptors (N.9) and the Chicago Bulls (N .10).
The names of the four formations fished out will then be known. They will join the twelve best teams of the regular season (six per conference), and the big maneuvers can begin.
Tuesday’s results:
Match 1: ATLANTA HAWKS (N.8) bat Miami Heat (N.7) 116 à 105
Game 2: LA LAKERS (No.7) beat Minnesota Timberwolves (No.8) 108-102 ap
To come:
Wednesday
Game 3 (01:00, Wednesday night to Thursday): Toronto Raptors (N.9) – Chicago Bulls (N.10)
Game 4 (03:30, Wednesday night to Thursday): New Orleans Pelicans (N.9) – Oklahoma City Thunder (N.10)
Friday
Miami Heat – Game 3 Winner
Minnesota Timberwolves – Winner of game 4
NB: the final phase begins on Saturday April 15