Los Angeles (AFP)

Contrasting evening for LeBron James, who passed Kobe Bryant to climb on the podium of the best scorers in NBA history, without managing to prevent the tenth defeat of the Lakers season in Philadelphia on Saturday.

. James, always higher

Appointment was made, coquetry of fate, in Philadelphia, the birthplace of Bryant. And James responded well, doubling Kobe in the ranking of the most prolific players in the League. For the occasion, he also scribbled "Mamba 4 life" ("Mamba for life") on his shoes, in tribute to his glorious elder so nicknamed.

It was in the middle of the third quarter, on a double step, that James entered history a little more, relegating Bryant and his 33,643 points to 4th place.

After this match, the "King" now has 33,655 and the player to overtake is now called Karl Malone, the former Utah star (36,928). If he maintains his pace, James, who has turned 27 points per game since the start of his career, could overtake him in 2021-22.

After which, you will have to climb Kareem Abdul Jabbar mountain and its 38.387 points. Nothing is impossible for LeBron, who has just celebrated his 35th birthday, without having ever spoken the word retirement.

. Lakers trample

The evening was not perfect, however, since his 29 points, 8 assists, 7 rebounds, were insufficient to prevent the Lakers from conceding among the Sixers their third defeat in six games (108-91). No more than Anthony Davis' 31 points and 7 rebounds.

If the duo of stars did the job, the rest of the team was transparent. Aggravating factor, the long distance address, usually good, sank to 19.4% success rate (6/34).

Philly, still without Joel Embiid (finger), was able to rely on a solid performance by Ben Simmons (28 pts, 10 rbds, 8 assists, 4 interceptions) and Tobias Harris (29 pts, 8 rbds).

The 76ers remain 6th in the East. The Lakers still dominate in the West (36-10), but their next opponents will be the Clippers (3rd), who have already won their first two duels.

. Utah dominates Dallas at the finish

Luka Doncic's Mavericks (25 points, 7 assists, 6 rebounds) led most of the game, but a basket of Rudy Gobert and another of Donovan Mitchell a minute before the end ended up giving the advantage to Jazz which dropped it more (112-107).

A fourth consecutive success which therefore owes a lot to the two aforementioned players who stood out three weeks from the All-Star Game, an event for which they have never been invited. The 25 pts (8 rebounds, 5 assists) of Mitchell and the 22 points (100% on shots), 17 rebounds and 5 blocks have something to mark the minds of the 30 coaches of the League who will choose the 6 "replacements" on February 6 .

Utah is second to the west. Dallas gives up 5th place to Houston.

. Irving and LaVine on fire

Kyrie Irving had 45 points (7 assists, 6 rebounds) to help Brooklyn win after extra time in Detroit (121-111), ending his streak of five losses. The leader showed that he was not affected by his non-selection in the five major East at the next All-Star Game, where he should nevertheless be called among the "substitutes".

This success against Pistons, who are direct competitors for a place in play-offs, allows the Nets to breathe a little better in 8th place in the East.

Chicago, which joins the fight, took advantage of the defeat of Detroit to steal 9th ​​place, by winning in Cleveland (118-106).

A success largely due to Zach LaVine's 44 points (10 rebounds, 8 assists). The rear also seems to enjoy playing against the Cavs' defense since they had passed 42 pawns eight days ago.

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