Worn by the duo Lebron James – Luka Doncic (63pts by them), the Lakers won their eighth affiliate victory, after extension against the New York Knicks. Boston, Houston and Golden State also won.
The Lakers machine is launched! The integration of Luka Doncic is going on better and better, and a little more than a month at the end of the regular season, the Californian franchise continues the good results and clings to the second place of the Western Conference. The Californians won their eighth victory in a row on Thursday, beating New York (3rd in the East) 113-109 after extension. The Lakers dominated the first quarter, then the Knicks led up to two minutes from the end of regulation time. LeBron James then put the two teams tied (96-96), before Jalen Brunson, thanks to a basket+fault, won the extension for the Knicks (99-99.) An extension won 14-10 by the Lakers, with a decisive lebron James on the free throws at the end.
The forties finished with 31 points, 12 rebounds and 8 assists, while Luka Doncic finished with 32 points, 7 rebounds and 12 assists. If the duo is not reduced by injuries, the Lakers could go very far this season. As for the Knicks, they were able to count on the 39 points and 10 passes of Jalen Brunson, but he twisted his ankle during the extension. Houston, 5th in the West, stopped his series of three defeats by going to win 97-109 in New Orleans (14th). The Pelicans dominated the first half and the Rockets the second, with up to 17 points ahead. The Alperen Sengun, Amen Thompson and Tari Eason trio carried the Rockets, with 22, 21 and 20 points (26pts for Trey Murphy III respectively on the Pelicans side). The two teams will compete again on Saturday, but this time in Texas.
40 points for Stephen Curry!
Transfigured since the arrival of Jimmy Butler a month ago, Golden State is now 6th and directly qualifiable for the play-offs. On Thursday, the Warriors were on the move to Brooklyn (East 11th) and won 119-121, thanks to a large Stephen Curry, still author of 40 points (7/13 to 3pts), a few days to celebrate his 37th birthday. In front of a Barclays Center which had never been so full since its opening in 2012 (18,413 spectators), the nets counted 22 points ahead in the first quarter, but the Warriors came back little by little, to finally be in the lead during the last quarter, even if they were scared by taking a 10-2 in the last minute. Cameron Johnson ends up with 26 points for Nets.
Second in the east, the defending champion Boston is guaranteed to compete in the worst the play-in thanks to his victory 123-105 on Philadelphia (12th) after a match led from start to finish. In this multiple match absent on each side (Brown, Porzingis, Embiid, Maxey, etc.), the Celtics counted up to 30 points ahead, in the wake in particular of a Jayson Tatum which ends with 35 points and 7 rebounds (27pts for Opera JR side 76ers). Indiana, 5th,, on the other hand, bowed 124-118 to Atlanta, 8th, after having led a large part of the match. The Hawks have finished strong in the last five minutes, and can thank Georges Niang, author of 24 points, and Trae Young, author of 16 passes (35pts for Pascal Siakam on the Pacers). Finally, note the 123-125 victory of Chicago and Orlando, with in particular 44 points (16/28 on shots) of Coby White, which broke its record of points in the NBA.
NBA / Regular season
Thursday March 6, 2025
Atlanta Hawks – Indiana Pacers: 124-118
Stats of Zaccharie Risacher (ATL): 25 minutes of play, 11 points (4/9 on shots including 3/3 at 3pts, 0 launch-free drawn), 4 rebounds, 2 passes, 1 against, 2 lost balloons, 1 fault
Boston Celtics – Philadelphia 76ers: 123-105
Stats of Guerschon Yabusele (PHI): 31 minutes of play, 4 points (2/7 at shots including 0/3 at 3pts, 0 launch-free drawn), 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 lost balls, 3 faults
Los Angeles Lakers – New York Knicks: 113-109 AP
Pacôme Dadiet (NYK) was not in the group
New Orleans Pélicans – Houston Rockets : 97-109
Brooklyn Nets – Golden State Warriors : 119-121
Orlando Magic – Chicago Bulls : 123-125
