The pace of the match is rather slow for this start, the two teams gauge each other with a Brandon Ingram who constantly attacks the circle, without much success after the first five minutes (10-10). LeBron’s band struggles to get into the game, but the Suns play without pressure and leave largesse in defense. DeAndre Ayton (26 pts, 10 rebounds) scores a few low post points, but his defense borders on indecency on the other side of the field.
The locals take advantage of the fact that the Lake Show has not yet entered the match to widen a first gap (26-17). The “second unit” of the Arizona franchise players is doing a very good job, and the Bridges-Melton duo allows the Suns to finish this first quarter well (33-26).
Rajon Rondo is trying to restore some order in the house alongside a more concerned LeBron James than lately. At the wand and in defense, the former Celtic pushes for his people to return to the match, but Igor Kokoskov’s men are in a good evening (38-33). McGee may try to counter everything that moves, Walton’s men are having a hard time and do not know how to play against one of the worst teams of the season, leaving Ayton to continue his construction in the racket, as at the parade (55-43).
LeBron James challenges a lot of refereeing decisions, and his teammates are in trouble. The King chained some high-class individual actions, and brought his own to 7 units at the break (66-59).
Lakers push… but too late
After the break, the Lakers are still behind in defense, and let the Suns play at their ease. Booker, then Ayton continue their good performance and James can only see the damage for the moment (81-69). The Lakers are affected, little involved in defense and defensive cohesion leaves something to be desired. A stock symbol? This missed throw-in from LeBron who sends the ball to the board!!!
But the Suns can not dig a bigger gap. Igor Kokoskov takes a time-out to make it clear to his players, who move up a gear in the following minutes (90-74). Applied in defense, serious in attack and with a Booker who returns some complicated shots, the Suns end this third quarter with a good margin of maneuver (95-78).
With twelve minutes on the clock, the Lakers have no choice: to tighten the screw in defense and play just in attack. Except that the Suns do not give up (101-86). Brandon Ingram and LeBron James show a good understanding and on a 3-pointer from their superstar, the Angelinos remain alive at the start of money time (108-100). The young Suns seem a little tetanized in the face of the heat stroke of the Lakers, and they are on the verge of cracking.
But LeBron James misses two shots one minute from time which could have reduced the gap to two possessions, and Tyler Johnson does the work on the free throw line to give his team a prestigious victory (118-109). Still beaten, the Lakers may have said goodbye to the playoffs among the last of the Western Conference…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbiG9RrV1qM
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