Orlando (United States) (AFP)

Luka Doncic, prodigious with Dallas, and TJ Warren, untenable with Indiana, were the executioners of the Bucks and Lakers in the money-time, Saturday in the NBA where the end of the matches also smiled on the Clippers and Nuggets, winners of Portland and Utah.

. The Doncic festival

Opposed to MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, Luka Doncic offered a great night's recital for the Mavs' victory against Milwaukee after extra time (136-132).

The numbers first: 36 pts (12/24), 19 assists, 14 rebounds. Either his 17th triple-double of the season, the most impressive without a doubt. Because he doubled decisive shots in the last moments of regulation time and extra time.

The feast for the eyes then. Everything is passed or almost, so-called "grandfather" feint by pretending to give the ball behind him to better open the way for a double-step, dribbling "ankle-breaker" before sideways and shoot in the net, light pass between her legs for Maxi Kleber's dunk, under the eyes of helpless Giannis.

The "Greek Freak" was however far from demerit with his 34 points, 13 rebounds and 5 blocks.

. Warren martyrs the Lakers

For a week and his 53 successful points against Philadelphia, the Pacers winger is on his cloud. 34 points against Washington, 32 against Orlando, "only" 16 against Phoenix, this time he slammed 39 against the Lakers, victory as a bonus (116-111).

In a tight final minute, he scored five points that made the difference, despite a last unsuccessful jump from LeBron James to three points, allowing Indiana to join Miami in 4th place.

LA side, this defeat is not penalizing, but it is the fourth in six games, and this reverse dynamic should not be extended to the approach of the play-offs. Especially since if James responded present (31 pts, 8 rebounds, 7 assists), Anthony Davis was little in sight (8 pts, 8 assists).

. Portland, the shaking hand

Portland was hoping to take advantage of the absence of Kawhi Leonard, spared the Clippers side, to win and establish his 9th position in the West, synonymous with a barrage against Memphis (8th). Except that LA did not give up (122-120).

Result, the Blazers have only one victory ahead of Phoenix, who defeated Miami (119-112) thanks in particular to 35 points from Devin Booker.

Rarely, Damian Lillard cracked in the last seconds by missing two free throws that could have given back the advantage to his family, under the mocking eyes of Paul George and Patrick Beverley, untenable lodger on the bench of LA He then missed a last attempt behind the arc (2/10 in total), to finish at 22 points.

"I'm not offended. It just goes to show how much it hurt them, what I've done to them before in these situations. Beverley, I've already sent him home ... George was there. 'year spent in the play-offs, "replied Lillard.

. Denver, strong nerves

The Nikola Jokic / Jamal Murray duo was instrumental in allowing Denver to overcome Utah (134-132).

The first managed 12 of his 30 points (11 rebounds, 7 assists) in the first overtime, snatching the second from a basket 3 hundredths from the buzzer, finally validated despite a "bug" in the stopwatch. The second, for his first game in the bubble, managed 23 points (12 rebounds, 8 assists), including 5 in the second "overtime".

It took these talented conjunctions to have the last word against Donovan Mitchell (35 pts, 8 assists, 6 rebounds), boiling at the end of the game with several baskets at long distance.

Rudy Gobert, dominating for three quarters (22 pts, 13 rebounds), was much less thereafter, missing his last five attempts, before being excluded for a 6th foul.

The Jazz (6th), who led by 14 points at half-time, will have to quickly recover from his disappointment, especially as a possible reunion with the Nuggets (3rd) awaits him in the first round of the play-offs.

© 2020 AFP