Orlando (United States) (AFP)
The Los Angeles Clippers, title contenders, beat the Orlando Magic (99-90) on Wednesday for the first preparatory friendly game for the resumption of the NBA season, also the opportunity to discover what basketball games will look like in the Disney World bubble.
Devoid of any atmosphere or almost, behind closed doors requires, the game resumed in Florida more than four months after the interruption of the championship due to the coronavirus, with, as the protocol provided for, the management members and the substitutes scattered at a distance of 1.80 m from each other each in its seat, but not masked.
Immediately what jumps out at the eye is still in the background: a giant screen, on which various team-related animations scroll, which covers the entire length of a sleek parquet floor even behind the panels, with the only logo of the NBA in the center. and the words "BLACK LIVES MATTER" above.
A high-tech device that impressed Evan Fournier. "How they set up the game room! Very heavy. Just, there are so many graphics it feels like you are in NBA2K," the Magic's rear tweeted before a game where it was not. is not particularly illustrated (2 points to 0/5 on shots, 2 free throws registered, 3 assists, 1 rebound, 1 interception).
The other Frenchman on the floor, Joakim Noah, has made a success of his debut in the Clippers jersey. Holder with number 55, he finished with 4 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists in 15 minutes, showing envy as usual and that he was integrating well within the angelino collective.
During this match reduced to 10 minutes per quarter instead of 12, it is the 6th man Lou Williams (22 pts, 3 rebounds, 2 assists) and the scorer Paul George (18 pts, 5 rebounds, 3 assists) who led LA to success, other star Kawhi Leonard settling for 9 points.
In the absence of two major elements, interior Montrezl Harrell and hard-core defenseman Patrick Beverley who left Orlando for personal reasons and whose return is scheduled but undated, the Clippers have shown good disposition in terms of the game, eight days to restart the season against their rivals the Lakers.
© 2020 AFP