(Los Angeles) The Los Angeles Lakers will be present in the final phase of the NBA, where they will meet the Memphis Grizzlies from Sunday, but LeBron James and his teammates had to fight until overtime on Tuesday during their game play-off against Minnesota (108-102).
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 recover, finally failing at the gates of a direct qualification in the playoffs, in the 7e place.
On their field, Tuesday night’s match against the Timberwolves (N.8) took on the same form, with a happy ending this time around.
“We had to fight all season, and since the All-Star cut (mid-February, editor’s note), we play good basketball”, summarized after the meeting “King James”, who held his rank, d a solid double-double (30 points, 10 rebounds).
At 95 everywhere, and a handful of seconds to play, he put Dennis Schröder in a good position, for a basket that we then thought was 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 story 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 second 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 playoffs on Friday, against New Orleans (N.9) or Oklahoma (N .10), who face off this Wednesday.
In the East, it’s the Atlanta Hawks, 8e of 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 point guard Trae Young scored 25 points and delivered seven assists, but the Hawks can also say thank you to their bench (53 points 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 Bulls of Chicago (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
Game 1: The Atlanta Hawks (N.8) beat the Miami Heat (N.7) 116 to 105.
Game 2: The Los Angeles Lakers (N.7) beat the Minnesota Timberwolves (N.8) 108 to 102 ap
Coming
Wednesday
Game 3 (1 hour Wednesday night to Thursday): Toronto Raptors (N.9) —Chicago Bulls (N.10).
Game 4 (3:30 a.m. night Wednesday through Thursday): New Orleans Pelicans (N.9)—Oklahoma City Thunder (N.10).
Friday
The Miami Heat-Winner of Game 3.
Minnesota Timberwolves-Winner of Game 4.
NB: the final phase begins on Saturday 15 April.