For the first of their two clashes in two days, the Spurs and the Lakers clearly did not put on an unforgettable show for the Texas public. Nevertheless, the “Purple & Gold” did not hesitate to leave with victory (105-94), after having dominated the entire meeting and without ever having run after the score.
A success obviously marked by the return to competition of LeBron James, author of a mixed performance: 21 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals, but with 9 lost balls (and 1/4 to 3-pts). Fortunately, the 37-year-old winger was able to count on the support ofAnthony Davis (25 points, 15 rebounds and 3 blocks) to enhance his recovery with a positive result.
Because, facing a team of San Antonio which continues to fall in the standings (12 defeats in 13 games in November!), it was imperative that Los Angeles is needed, in order to get a little closer to the play-in.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
— The sluggish return of LeBron James. More than two weeks after his last match, the “King” was back in business, facing Spurs Gregg Popovich, one of his “best enemies”. On his 33 minutes of playing time, we can not say that he especially shone. Author of a basket from the first possession, the quadruple MVP then chained the loss of the ball and the bad decisions to shoot. Logically rusty, he slowed down his team for a long time, sometimes even showing himself to be disinterested and stingy with effort. But “LBJ” at least had the merit of waking up in the last act, in defense in particular, to fold the case.
— San Antonio’s weakness. The Lakers can thank the Spurs for this success, because the latter made it rather easy for them, with their foul first period. Led by about twenty points at the break (59-41), the Texans were just barely visible on the floor, almost never managing to take advantage of the slack shots of Californians with rather strange rotations at times. Clumsy as possible, too soft defensively and obviously lacking in talent, Gregg Popovich’s players got their asses kicked in good and due form. Even if their third quarter was of another ilk (34-20).
— Anthony Davis’ crazy streak continues. If the return of LeBron James has altered the domination of “The Unibrow”, limited to 13 shots and more present wide than near the circle, it continues to blacken the stats sheet. With a fifth game in a row with at least 25 points and 15 rebounds, he thus becomes the 12th player in history to achieve such a series in the NBA. The proof of his excellent current form, which has earned him influence in attack and defense, illustrated by the words of “LBJ” after the fact: ” AD was playing like the best player in the league [en mon absence] “. Just that.
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ Lonnie Walker IV. For his reunion with the Spurs, who had prepared a nice video for the occasion, the rear of the Lakers once again shone, finishing with 18 points on the clock (at 4/9 at 3-pts). In great shape for six games now, he has shown great consistency in scoring and his performances are welcome to accompany Anthony Davis and now LeBron James. Today, we will remember in particular his heat stroke in the first quarter (10 points, 4/6 to shoot), ideal to install Los Angeles at the controls of this part.
✅ Jeremy Sochan. If we had to retain a player on the Spurs side, it would undoubtedly be their 19-year-old rookie, author of 13 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals in 36 minutes. Opposed to LeBron James, whom he also hampered very well in defense with his physical qualities, the 9th choice of the last Draft delivered a fairly complete match and was the most reliable element of San Antonio, in the company of Jakob Poeltl (10 points, 8 rebounds), even Tre Jones (19 points, 5 assists).
⛔ Los Angeles ball losses and rebound. A notch above the Spurs, the Lakers had to wait for the last act, and a big acceleration from the duo LeBron James – Anthony Davis on each side of the field, to make the difference for good. It must be said that, for three quarters, they were constantly handicapped by their lost balls (22!) and the number of second chances given to their evening opponents (20!). Against most teams, such shortcomings would have paid off in cash. Fortunately, it was “only” San Antonio this time…
⛔ San Antonio address. Rather than naming different names, because there are several of them torn apart last night at the Spurs, we prefer to mention what has plagued Gregg Popovich’s men all evening: their inability to score baskets. With a pitiful 38% shooting success and a horrible 18% success at 3-pts, the teammates of Keldon Johnson (6/23, including 1/8 from a distance) and Devin Vassell (7/22, including 0/6 by far) watered severe and the Lakers defense was not always responsible for this clumsiness. In these conditions, we should not have expected anything other than a defeat…
THE FOLLOWING
San Antonio (6-14) : back to back against… the Lakers, on the night of Saturday to Sunday (02:00).
Los Angeles (6-11) : back to back in… San Antonio, on the night of Saturday to Sunday (02:00).
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