Los Angeles (AFP)
The master still exceeds the pupil. LeBron James surpassed rising star Zion Williamson when he returned to the Lakers' courts, just 24 hours after the emotion of the last farewell to Kobe Bryant at the Staple center.
James, who said on Tuesday that he was "emotionally a wreck" since the death of Kobe Bryant last month in a helicopter crash, scored his highest score of the season (40 points) to dominate the New Pelicans. Orleans (118-109) led by number one in the draft, Zion Williamson.
The 19-year-old prodigy once again displayed his talent by scoring 29 points. James paid tribute to him: "This kid is special. They found a good kid," said + King James +, who also had eight rebounds and six assists in 34 minutes.
He was also able to count on the other star of the Lakers, Anthony Davis, author of 21 points, 14 rebounds and 6 blocks in 36 minutes. On the Pelicans side, in addition to Zion Williamson, the former Lakers player Brandon Ingram particularly stood out with 34 points.
This victory, the sixth in a row for the Lakers, allows the Los Angeles club to maintain its lead at the head of the Western conference. Second in the standings, the Denver Nuggets went to win in Detroit against the Pistons 115 to 98 thanks to Jerami Grant's 29 points off the bench.
Detroit Frenchman Sekou Doumbouya remained very discreet with 3 points to 1 out of 5 on shots in 18 minutes.
- 50th Bucks victory -
In the east, the shock of the night between the Milwaukee Bucks and the defending champions, the Toronto Raptors, turned to the advantage of the former (108-97), well led by the MVP of last season, Giannis Antetokounmpo, limited to 19 points but also author of 19 rebounds and 8 assists.
Khris Middleton was the Bucks' top scorer with 22 points, as much as Cameroonian Pascal Siakam on the Raptors side.
It is the 50th victory of the season against only 8 defeats for the franchise of Milwaukee, which posts with a few weeks of the end of the regular season the best assessment of the league. The poster of the night was a remake of last year's Eastern conference final, which the Canadians won by muzzling Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The Greek star also admitted to having thought of this defeat: "you always remember the last time you played, the problems you experienced. It was definitely in my head," he said.
Third in the Eastern Conference, the Boston Celtics moved closer to the Raptors with a 118-106 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers. The Celtics were able to count on 36 points from Jayson Tatum, who notably scored 8 three-point baskets, and on the absence of Blazers star Damian Lillard.
The three-color international Vincent Poirier was only allowed two minutes of play with the Celtics but had time to score two points.
- Waiting for Curry -
Pending the return of Stephen Curry, who could return to the court on Sunday after four months of absence, the Golden State Warriors suffered another defeat at home against the Sacramento Kings (112-94). After dominating the NBA for five years, the Warriors have this year the worst record in the league, not helped by the long unavailability of their two stars, Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, who should not return to competition before next season.
The Chicago Bulls also lost on their floor to the Oklahoma City Thunder (124-122), despite 41 points from Zach LaVine and 35 units off the bench from Coby White, author of a third game in following above 30 points.
Frenchman Adam Mokoka had 19 minutes of play with the Bulls but only scored 3 points and captured two rebounds.
In the other game of the night, the Indiana Pacers crushed the Charlotte Hornets 119-80 at home, allowing them to get closer to 4th place in the Eastern Conference, which means more fieldwork at first round of the Playoffs.
© 2020 AFP