They were up to 21 points behind at the very start of the last quarter, but the Lakers, led by a fiery LeBron James (34 points, including 19 in the last period), managed to win against the Clippers 116-112. “The game isn’t over until there are zeros on the clock,” James commented after the game. Winners of seven of their last ten matches, the Lakers are 9th in the Western Conference (32 v. – 28 l.), the Clippers are 4th (37 v. – 20 l.).
In the duel between triple-double specialists, Nikola Jokic’s Nuggets made short work of Domantas Sabonis’ Kings, deprived of their injured leader De’Aaron Fox, and defeated 117-96. With 14 points, 14 rebounds and 11 assists, the Serbian pivot of the reigning champions achieved his 19th triple double of the season, the 4th in a row, also putting an end to Sabonis’ series (13 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists ), who had just made three in a row. Third in the West (40 v. -19 d.), the Nuggets have a fourth success in a row. The Kings are 8th (33 v. -25 l.).
His 25th birthday, Dallas Slovenian Luka Doncic also celebrated with a triple double (30 points, 11 rebounds, 16 assists) and a 136-125 victory in Toronto. Seventh in the West (34 v. -25 l.), the Mavericks have won eight of their last ten matches. “It was just a normal game for him, a triple double,” said Dallas coach Jason Kidd about his European leader.
Engaged in a long-distance duel that they waged against Oklahoma City (which did not play on Wednesday) for first place in the Western Conference, the Minnesota Timberwolves did not crack despite resistance from Memphis, winning 110-101 at home, thanks in particular to 34 points from Anthony Edwards. With 42 victories and 17 defeats, they remain in the lead in the West, just ahead of the Thunder (41 v. -17 l.).