Without LeBron James due to injury, after trailing on the scoreboard during the four quarters, with a monumental Anthony Davis and with a decisive triple by Austin Reaves in the second overtime, the Los Angeles Lakers won an exciting game this Tuesday in Milwaukee against some Bucks who led by 19 points in the last quarter.
The other big match of the day, a key duel for the coveted sixth place in the West (the last one that gives access to the playoff), was scored by some magnificent Mavericks with a beating in Sacramento thanks to another enormous performance by Luka Doncic with 28 points (10 of 18 on field goals), 11 rebounds and 6 assists without stepping on the court in the fourth quarter.
When everyone gave it up for lost, the fourth consecutive victory for those in purple and gold, who began their six-game tour of the East in style, came after two overtimes and sponsored by Anthony Davis (34 points, 23 rebounds and 4 blocks in 52 minutes despite having physical problems), Austin Reaves (second triple-double of his career with 29 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists) and D’Angelo Russell (29 points, 7 rebounds and 12 assists) .
Giannis Antetokounmpo finished with a triple-double for the Bucks (29 points, 21 rebounds and 11 assists) but he was not good from free throws (1 of 6), something that would be fundamental in the outcome. Damian Lillard contributed 27 points and 8 assists and Malik Beasley scored 21 points.
The Lakers were practically perfect from the personnel line (shocking 30 of 32 compared to 11 of 17 of their rivals).
The Mavericks (43-29 balance) had this game in Sacramento marked in red on their calendar and responded with an impressive performance that completely disarmed the Kings (42-30) and helped them steal sixth place in the West
Dallas, in a spectacular moment and already leading by 25 points in the third quarter, has accumulated five consecutive wins and nine in its last ten games. Along with Doncic, Kyrie Irving shined with 24 points and 8 assists and Tim Hardaway Jr. scored 22 points. Jason Kidd’s men dazzled in their outside shooting (22 of 39 in triples).
Everything went wrong for the Kings with 12 points, 11 rebounds and 9 assists from Domantas Sabonis (55th consecutive double-double for the center). Sacramento only made 38.9% of its field goals but on Friday they will have the opportunity to get revenge as they will welcome the Mavericks back to their home court.
The Warriors took advantage of the numerous losses of the Heat, who added Jimmy Butler to their extensive list, and sealed a victory that they urgently needed thanks to 28 points from Klay Thompson and 18 from Jonathan Kuminga.
Steve Kerr’s men thus reinforced their tenth place in the West (37-34 balance) against the Houston Rockets (36-35) who are hot on their heels with nine consecutive wins.
Without Butler, Tyler Herro and Duncan Robinson, Bam Adebayo stood out in Miami one more night with 24 points and 9 rebounds. Mexican Jaime Jáquez Jr. had 12 points, 2 rebounds and an assist.