Doncic and LeBron feast, OKC dominates and the Nuggets catch up to the Spurs.
Chicago (USA), Jan 13 (EFE)
Luka Doncic, with 27 points, and LeBron James, who nearly achieved a triple-double with 31 points, had a field day on Tuesday and revived the Los Angeles Lakers on a day in the NBA in which the Oklahoma City Thunder took revenge on the San Antonio Spurs, who were caught in second place in the West by the Denver Nuggets.
The Lakers put their three-game losing streak behind them with an offensive recital against the Atlanta Hawks (141-116) in which Deandre Ayton also participated, with a brilliant double double of 17 points and 18 rebounds, his best mark since signing with the purple and gold.
Doncic finished with 27 points and 12 assists, while LeBron James tallied 31 points, nine rebounds, and 10 assists. At 41 years old, King James is averaging over 22 points per game.
The entire Lakers starting five finished with double figures in scoring, awaiting the return of Austin Reaves.
Jake LaRavia scored 17 points, Marcus Smart added 16, and Gabe Vincent contributed 10 for the Lakers coming off the bench to stop a Hawks team that arrived in Los Angeles in good form, after a streak of three consecutive victories.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored 26 points for the Hawks and CJ McCollum added 25 coming off the bench.
OKC claims to
After losing the three previous meetings this year, the Thunder redeemed themselves with a 119-98 victory over the Spurs, led by Shai Gilgeous Alexander.
The Canadian scored fifteen of his 34 points in a third period that ended 40-24 and set the NBA champions on the path to victory.
Oklahoma City boasts the best record in the NBA, with 34 wins and only seven losses, ahead of the Spurs (27-13).
The Spurs shot less than 40% from the field. Victor Wembanyama finished with 17 points and seven rebounds, while Stephon Castle led all scorers with 20 points.
The Nuggets took advantage of the Spurs’ defeat to catch up with them in second place in the West, after winning 122-116 at the New Orleans Pelicans’ home court.
While awaiting the return of Serbian Nikola Jokic, sidelined with a knee injury, Jamal Murray scored 35 points and made six three-pointers, and Peyton Watson added 31 in the Nuggets’ victory.
Durant overshadows Tre Jones’ big night
Kevin Durant sealed a double double of 28 points and ten rebounds and overshadowed Tre Jones’ great personal night (34 points and 11 of 12 shooting) to lead the Houston Rockets to a 118-112 victory over the Chicago Bulls.
Turkish player Alperen Sengun contributed to the victory with 23 points, seven rebounds and eleven assists.
The Miami Heat also triumphed, ending their three-game losing streak with a 127-121 victory at the Kaseya Center against the Phoenix Suns.
Bam Adebayo scored thirteen of his 29 points in the fourth period, in which the Heat managed to make the decisive push after wasting a twenty-point lead in the third quarter.
Norman Powell led the way with 27 points and Tyler Herro added 23 for Miami. Mexican Jaime Jáquez made the most of his minutes off the bench with 16 points and eight assists.
The Suns’ three-game winning streak was interrupted, despite a great night from Dillon Brooks (25 points), Grayson Allen (25) and Devin Booker (24).
In addition, the Minnesota Timberwolves cruised to victory in Milwaukee against the Bucks, defeating them 139-106 despite the absence of Anthony Edwards due to a foot problem.
Julius Randle led the Wolves with 29 points. For the Bucks, Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 25 points and grabbed eight rebounds, but it wasn’t enough to prevent their 23rd loss in 40 games.
Milwaukee is currently out of the postseason spots.
