The battle for Los Angeles resumed Tuesday, December 22, 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 the awaited their champions rings.
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 LA room, but a panel hides it: fans will discover it when it is possible to return.
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 (2012 and 2013) and a third with Cleveland (2016).
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.
The Paul George-Kawhi Leornard duo in good shape
So even if it has no impact, this inaugural victory necessarily has a taste of sweet revenge for the other Los Angeles team, who dreams of emerging from the shadows of their prestigious rivals.
It relied on a collective slightly more developed than that 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 an urge that seemed to be lacking three months ago at most strong playoffs.
Opposite, LeBron James finished with 22 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists and Anthony Davis with 18 poionts, 7 rebounds and 7 assists.
Still well in the match in the 3rd quarter, they ended up physically declining with around thirty minutes in their legs.
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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.
In the other meeting of the evening, the Brooklyn Nets beat the Golden State Warriors (125-99).
With AFP
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