Orlando (United States) (AFP)
The Lakers, beaten 48 hours earlier by Dallas, reacted by winning against Orlando (119-112) on Saturday, for their second NBA preseason game, recording the rise of LeBron James, while Anthony Davis was hit in one eye.
James, who this time spent 25 minutes on the floor, ten more than against the Mavericks, accumulated 20 points and 7 assists, finding in Kyle Kuzma his lieutenant for the day, who split 25 points (to 10 / 13 on shoots, including 5 of 7 behind the arc) and 7 rebounds.
Irregular this season, the replacement winger seems to be waking up at the right time with five days to face the Clippers, angelinos rivals and contenders for the title, for the restart of the championship in the bubble of Disney World.
Concern arose, however, at the end of the first quarter when Anthony Davis held his face after contact with Khem Birch, who was struggling with him for the rebound. Hit in the right eye, the strong winger, author of an excellent start to the match (9 pts, 10 rebounds), did not replay, a decision taken as a precaution, the injury not finally seeming so serious.
On the other hand, Orlando player Wes Iwundu's face-down fall after a dunk was much more impressive. Open above the left eye, it has not returned from the locker room either.
Despite this hard blow, the Magic, led by 13 points at the break, then caught up again, stuck to the score in the last quarter, before finally abdicating. Evan Fournier was satisfied with 7 points, 5 assists, 3 rebounds.
In the other game of the afternoon, Milwaukee won a second success in a row against Sacramento (131-123), thanks to a good three-point address (20/45) which however did not show. the star Giannis Antetokounmpo (0/3), who still finished with 15 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists in a quarter of an hour.
The Bucks, who were able to count on 22 points (5/8 at long distance) and 6 rebounds from substitute shooter Kyle Korver and on 21 points and 5 blocks from pivot Brook Lopez, stifled the Kings in the first period (80- 60), before slackening off somewhat, leaving their opponents to finish a worthy gap.
© 2020 AFP