Los Angeles (AFP)
The battle for Los Angeles resumed Tuesday in the NBA and the Clippers took the best of the Lakers (116-109) at the start of the season, spoiling the return of LeBron James and co at Staples Center, where their championship rings awaited them .
Even behind closed doors, coronavirus requires, this resumption of the game should have an air of celebration for the "Laker Nation", 71 days after this 17th title - record of the Boston Celtics equaled - gleaned after three and a half months spent in the Disney bubble World.
The banner celebrating this new coronation is also present on the ceiling of the Downtown room, but a panel hides it: fans will discover it when it is possible to return there.
In the meantime, the evening started with big kid smiles.
That of James, soon 36 years old, the first, but obviously invited the last to go to the center of the floor to recover his shining jewel adorned with diamonds and dedicated in its hollow to the idol Bryant who died in January with his words: "Kobe c ' is for you ".
And even when it is virtual, the ovation of the crowd is in these cases stronger for "LBJ" putting the ring on his little finger of the right hand, where only the thumb remains. free since this 4th title acquired after the first two with Miami and a third with Cleveland.
- Paul George efficient -
Not far away, standing, respectful, surely envious too, the Clippers witnessed this certainly painful little moment, them whom many saw seize the title last season, but who did not pass the semi-finals of the Western conference, overthrown by Denver (4-3 after leading 3-1), to everyone's surprise.
So even if it has no impact, this inaugural victory necessarily has a taste of sweet revenge for the other LA team who dreams of emerging from the shadows of their prestigious rivals.
It relied on a collective slightly more developed than the one opposite, contrary to what the preseason matches suggested, which definitely do not always mean much.
But also on the successful performance of Paul George, who took matters into his own hands in the second half by scoring 23 of his 33 points (13/18 on shots, 6 rebounds, 3 assists).
The other star of the team, Kawhi Leonard added 26, with a little more waste on shots (10/26), but he too showed a desire that seemed to be lacking three months ago at its height. play-offs.
- James and Davis tired -
So much so that the Clippers' first quarter was a one-way street (39-19), during which we felt serious, a desire to do well with humility.
Far from the boastfulness displayed a little too often last season.
The Lakers still came back to height in the second quarter, by tightening their game. First in defense, one of their great strengths, reducing the opposing success to 28% (7/25), then with the offensive awakening of James, author of a few baskets in force under the basket, just before half-time to score ten points, just like Anthony Davis.
In the end the first finished with 22 points (5 rebounds, 5 assists) and the second with 18 (7 rebounds, 7 assists).
Still well in the match in the 3rd quarter, they ended up physically declining with around thirty minutes in their legs.
Barely more than two months after their coronation at the expense of Miami (4-2) in the final, both of them know that they must spare their mount because it is a long marathon of seven months that started on Tuesday evening.
Their goal goes well beyond the framework of a duel "angeleno" that discovered with necessarily great satisfaction Nicolas Batum (3 pts, 6 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 interceptions), holder and excellent in his role of game facilitator with the Clippers.
© 2020 AFP