The Los Angeles Lakers continue to be in good form and have also beaten the Minnesota Timberwolves. Meanwhile, Victor Wembanyama dominated the Boston Celtics and the Golden State Warriors continue to slip.
Thanks to Doncic and Reaves: Lakers also beat Timberwolves
On an NBA night dominated by Bam Adebayo’s historic performance, the Lakers celebrated an impressive and morally important victory over the T-Wolves. After a terrible start to the game (17 of their first 21 shots missed), L.A. really turned it on in the second half and ultimately won the game decisively. The win means they have won all three games against the Timberwolves this season, who had knocked them out of the playoffs in the first round last year (1-4).
Without the injured LeBron James, it was once again the duo of Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves who led the Lakers to the promised land. Both finished with 31 points, with Doncic recording his seventh triple-double of the season with 11 rebounds and 11 assists. Reaves, on the other hand, was unstoppable in the second half, scoring 29 of his 31 points in that period. Big man Deandre Ayton was also important, recording a strong double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds.
For Minnesota, on the other hand, very little went right that evening. Their two superstars, Julius Randle and Anthony Edwards, each scored a meager 14 points, with Ant in particular being ice cold (2/15 FG). Minny was only kept in the game by its bench, which scored 61 points, led by Naz Reid and Ayo Dosunmu (13 each).
Wemby dominates Boston in next Spurs win
The San Antonio Spurs remain unstoppable and didn’t even slow down against the high-flying Boston Celtics, who suffered their first defeat since Jayson Tatum’s return. Once again, the main reason for this was Victor Wembanyama, who dominated the Celtics at will with 39 points (11/20 FG) and 11 rebounds. The Frenchman also hit eight three-pointers, equaling his career best.
Despite the 22-year-old’s gala performance, the game was very close for a long time. Boston had to do without All-Star Jaylen Brown for almost the entire game, who was ejected after an altercation with the referees at the end of the second quarter. Instead, Derrick White took on much of the offensive load and was the best player for the hosts with 34 points (11/22 FG) and seven assists. Stephon Castle (18) responded with a downtown shot less than 20 seconds later, sealing the deal. Alongside Wemby, De’Aaron Fox was the Spurs’ best player with 25 points and nine assists.
Buzelis with career high: Warriors crisis deepens
The Golden State Warriors are sliding further and further into crisis and steadily dropping down the standings. After Monday’s bitter defeat to the Jazz, they were beaten by another basement team in the form of the Bulls. Without the Curry brothers, De’Anthony Melton, Moses Moody and Quinten Post, little came together on offense, yet the Warriors were on the verge of victory in the closing stages.
Guard LJ Cryer had put Golden State ahead by two with eight seconds left on the clock, but Draymond Green failed to stop Chicago’s Jalen Smith from driving to the basket without fouling him. Smith kept his cool and converted both free throws to send the game into overtime, where Matas Buzelis was the decisive player.
The 21-year-old scored five important points, including a difficult step-back three-pointer that sealed the deal. In the end, Buzelis finished with 41 points (16/28 FG), marking a new career high for the youngster. Tre Jones (22) and Josh Giddey also shone, with the latter recording a triple-double with 21 points, 13 rebounds, and 17 assists.
For the decimated Warriors, four players scored 17 points each: Gui Santos, Cryer, Pat Spencer, and Kristaps Porzingis, while Gary Payton II added a solid double-double (12 points, 11 rebounds).
