"Luka Magic" (25 pts, 8 rbds, 5 assists) who crushes a spectacular tap-dunk, symbolizing the domination of the Mavs in the first period, then who rises, avoiding one against "King James", to score a basket crucial boosting his team in money-time.

Two actions illustrating the two-speed game of Texans more than ever Doncic-dependent.

Because in the meantime, the Lakers showed pride in clearing 15 lengths behind at the break, first by a second Stanley Johnson knife, author of two baskets in a row at long distance, then by "LBJ" ( 26 pts, 12 rbds) who chained three others, including one with the logo in the center of the field.

LeBron James of the LA Lakers attempts a shot against Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA on March 1, 2022 in Los Angeles RONALD MARTINEZ GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP

But LA could not confirm in the 4th quarter, its leader showing signs of fatigue, without any of his teammates relaying it, like Russell Westbrook (12 pts, 8 assists) still without a compass.

And the Californians get bogged down in 9th position in the West, more than ever promised in the play-offs play-offs, at best.

Dallas remains 5th, three behind the Warriors, whom they beat on Sunday, recovering from a 21-point deficit, and will find Thursday.

But the Californians are not at best, since they fell to the Timberwolves (129-114).

In the absence of Klay Thompson (sick) and Draymond Green (back), Golden State lacked deterrence in defense, Karl-Anthony Towns taking advantage of it (39 pts).

Karl-Anthony Towns of the Minnesota Timberwolves against Kevon Looney of the Golden State Warriors in the NBA on March 1, 2022 in Minneapolis David Berding GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP

Stephen Curry did what he could and rather well (34 pts), but in vain.

And here are the Warriors who see their lead over the Grizzlies of the phenomenon Ja Morant reduced to a loss of difference.

Ubiquitous Tatum

Minnesota remains 7th, just ahead of the Clippers, who chained a fourth success in a row in Houston (113-100), carried by pivot Ivica Zubac (22 pts, 12 rebounds).

Nicolas Batum (4 pts, 4 rebounds) was discreet.

In the East, Boston consolidated its 6th place, defeating Atlanta (107-98).

A victory that the Celtics hope will not be Pyrrhic, Jaylen Brown having suffered a sprained right ankle.

Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics against Gorgui Dieng of the Atlanta Hawks in the NBA on March 1, 2022 in Boston Maddie Meyer GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP

It was in the 3rd quarter that they made the difference (31-13), in the wake of Jayson Tatum (33 pts, 8 rebounds, 7 assists) omnipresent.

Opposite, Trae Young, also victim of a torsion of the left ankle, but less severe, did not deserve (31 pts), just like Bogdan Bogdanovic (25 pts).

The Hawks slip to 10th place, two rows behind Brooklyn, still beaten (109-108) in the back-to-back against Toronto (7th).

This time the meeting took place in Canada where, as in New York, Kyrie Irving could not play, because not vaccinated.

Without him or Ben Simmons or Kevin Durant, whose return is hoped for Thursday against Miami, the Nets have held up much better than the day before, only yielding in the final moments.

It took all the composure of Gary Trent Jr (24 pts, 7 assists) on free throws (6/6 in the last 30 seconds) to allow the Raptors to have the last word, while Seth Curry (18 pts) had put the two teams tied just before.

Finally, Washington (11th) also won by nothing (116-113) against Detroit, thanks in particular to Kyle Kuzma (21 pts).

Gary Trent of the Toronto Raptors on a free throw against the Brooklyn Nets in the NBA on March 1, 2022 in Toronto Cole Burston GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP

Killian Hayes, good off the bench (7 pts, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals), narrowly missed the basket at the buzzer to snatch overtime.

© 2022 AFP