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NBA: Lakers on the right track, Durant too

The Lakers, guided by Anthony Davis, author of 38 points despite a sore ankle, won in Minnesota (123-111), securing their presence a little more in the qualifying play-offs for the play-offs, Friday in the NBA, where Kevin Durant shone for Phoenix against Denver (100-93).

The Californians showed character to make up 13 units behind in the third quarter, like their winger, limping back from the locker room, to plant 17 points in the next (17 rebounds).

“He kicked our ass in every possible way,” Timberwolves coach Chris Finch said. “It all starts with + AD +. We have a team that can make things happen, but you have to have this central force that can lead the charge… in our case, it’s him”, on the other hand welcomed the Lakers coach Darvin Ham.

LeBron James, not in a great evening at the address level (7/19), contributed more modestly (18 pts, 10 rebounds).

On the Minnesota side, Rudy Gobert (14 pts, 11 rebounds) had to leave his partners in the second half, hit in the right knee after a shock. “I think it’s just a bruise. I’ve hit my knee a lot, but this is really painful,” he said.

The Lakers, whose record goes positive for the first time (39 wins/38 losses) four games from the end of the regular season, do a double blow since they steal 7th place in the West from their victim of the evening who slipped to 9th place.

Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant during an NBA game against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Phoenix on March 29, 2023 (GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP - Christian Petersen)
Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant during an NBA game against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Phoenix on March 29, 2023 (GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP – Christian Petersen)

They can still mathematically aim for 6th position, and therefore directly punch their ticket for the final stages. But Golden State, winner (130-115) of San Antonio, thanks to its “Splash Brothers”, Stephen Curry (33 pts) and Klay Thompson (31 pts), seems difficult to catch up.

– Brunson eclipses Mitchell –

Just like the Clippers (5th), who have the same record as the Warriors (41v / 37d), after their setback (108-94) in Memphis. The Grizzlies (2nd) take the opportunity to slightly approach the Nuggets, leader defeated in the Suns, in which the rise of Kevin Durant is evident.

If he had looked for the target 48 hours earlier against Minnesota, for his return after three weeks of absence due to a sprained right ankle, this time it was the “KD” we know, author of 30 points at 11/15 on shots.

Devin Booker added 27 points for Phoenix, who took advantage of numerous absences on the Nuggets side, Nikola Jokic in the lead, as well as his lieutenants Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr.

In the East, the day after the humiliation inflicted on leader Milwaukee, Boston (2nd) followed up with a victory (122-114) against Utah, relying on Jayson Tatum (39 pts at 12/17 on shots, 11 rebounds, 3 interceptions).

Philadelphia, for its part, beat Toronto (117-110) taking advantage of the combined forces of Joel Embiid (25 pts, 12 rebounds) and James Harden (23 pts, 11 rebounds). The Sixers increase their lead over Cleveland (4th) beaten at home by New York (130-116).

New York Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson during an NBA game against the Minnesota Timberwolves in New York on March 20, 2023 (GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP/Archives - Sarah Stier)
New York Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson during an NBA game against the Minnesota Timberwolves in New York on March 20, 2023 (GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP/Archives – Sarah Stier)

In this match, the leader of the Knicks, Jalen Brunson (48 pts, 9 assists), eclipsed that of the Cavs, Donovan Mitchell (42 pts) who however did not deserve.

The New Yorkers consolidate their 5th place, ahead of Brooklyn, winner (124-107) of Atlanta, thanks to Mikal Bridges (42 pts). A precious victory for the Nets who thicken their mattress a little more in front of Miami (7th), on track to have to go through the dams, just like the Hawks (8th), the Raptors (9th) and probably the Bulls (10th ), broad winners in Charlotte (121-91).

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