Los Angeles (AFP)

In a guilty release, the Lakers bowed at the Staples Center against Brooklyn, while the Clippers, their victims 48 hours earlier, took revenge on Golden State, Tuesday in the NBA where Boston secured his place in the playoffs.

. Trapped Lakers, Avenged Clippers

A left hand penetration which rolls on the hoop and ... comes out: the basket perhaps the simplest of his evening, LeBron James missed it 6 seconds from the end, failing to equalize against Brooklyn who l won (104-102) after a stifling end to the match.

After a royal weekend, marked by two strong messages sent to the Bucks and Clippers, rivals for the title, the Lakers did not have quite the same energy or the same success.

And this, even if the "King" still came close to a triple-double (29 pts, 12 rbds, 9 assists). Anthony Davis (26 pts, 8 rbds) thought he had done the hardest by equalizing 102-102 with a long distance basket. But Steve Dinwiddie (23 pts) gave the final advantage to the Nets, and Davis, to the buzzer, did not repeat the exploit.

This 14th defeat hardly alters the domination of the Lakers (49 victories) in front of Clippers (44 v-20 d) who made only a bite of Golden State (131-107), still deprived of Stephen Curry, seized.

Kawhi Leonard scored 23 points (5 assists) in 25 minutes, Paul George, a little less successful, was content to succeed 15. Above all, the overall address was good (50%) with 20 baskets for three points.

. Boston and Houston recover

After four defeats, in five games for the Celtics, and in a row for the Rockets, each returned to victory, respectively in Indiana (114-111) and against Minnesota (117-111). But still being very fragile.

The success of the C's at the Pacers, where it is never easy to win, guarantees them to play the play-offs for the sixth season in a row. But Boston (3rd), who owes a lot to Jayson Tatum (30 pts) and Gordon Hayward (27 pts, 10 rbds, 5 assists), was frightened by squandering a 19 point lead, until Marcus Smart did get a basket and two crucial free throws in the last minute.

Opposite, Indiana, still 5th in the East, can have regrets, but will be consoled to know that Victor Oladipo (27 pts, 9/16 on shots) is recovering his basketball before his serious injury to right knee.

In Houston, James Harden found a little skill, which allowed him not to try 40 shots to achieve 37 points (at 11/19, 7 assists). It was necessary this contribution and that of Russell Westbrook (27 pts, 7 assists) to erase a first quarter-time still off topic (35-26), against Timberwolves deprived of Karl-Anthony Towns (wrist). The Rockets are back in 5th place, shared with Oklahoma City.

. The race for play-offs in the West

Memphis, for the time being owner of the last sesame, has a little margin in 8th place. But his defeat (120-115) at home against Orlando, the currently fit team that was 13 lengths behind at the break, gave hope to the competition.

First in Portland who won against Phoenix (121-105) to return to 9th place, three wins from the Grizzlies, thanks in particular to 25 points from Damian Lillard (7 assists).

Then in San Antonio, who remained on three losses in four games and defeated Dallas (119-109), to get closer to a victory for New Orleans and Sacramento (10th tied, just behind the Blazers).

The return of LaMarcus Aldridge, after a shoulder injury, helped (24 pts, 4 against) especially as inside, it also contained Kristaps Porzingis at 9 points (12 rbds). Luka Doncic was very good, but his 38 points, 8 assists and 7 rebounds did not prevent the Spurs from finishing strong by winning 36-24 in the last quarter.

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