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The Los Angeles Clippers, title contenders, beat the Orlando Magic (99-90) on Wednesday for the first preparatory friendly game for the resumption of the NBA season, also the opportunity to discover what basketball games will look like in the Disney World bubble.
Devoid of any atmosphere or almost, behind closed doors requires, the game resumed in Florida more than four months after the interruption of the championship due to the coronavirus, with, as the protocol provided for, the management members and the substitutes scattered at a distance of 1.80 m from each other each in its seat, but not masked.
Not far away, within the Arena, one of the three halls where the matches will be played with the HP Field House and the Visa Athletic Center, the officials posted in front of their scorers’ table however all wear a mask and a plexiglass window. protects against direct contact with referees and players.
Immediately, what jumps to the eye is still in the background: a giant screen, on which various animations relating to the teams scroll, which covers the entire length of a pared-down floor to behind the panels, with the only logo of the NBA in the background. center and the words “BLACK LIVES MATTER” above.
A high-tech device that impressed Evan Fournier. “How they set up the game room! Very heavy. Just, there are so many graphics that you feel like you’re in NBA2K” (a video game, note), tweeted the back of the Magic before a match where he did not particularly stand out (2 points to 0/5 on shots, 2 free throws scored, 3 assists, 1 rebound, 1 interception).
The other Frenchman on the floor, Joakim Noah, has made a success of his debut in the Clippers jersey. Holder with the number 55, he finished with 4 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists in 15 minutes, showing envy as usual and that he integrated well into the angelino collective.
During this match reduced to 10 minutes per quarter instead of 12, it is the 6th man Lou Williams (22 pts, 3 rebounds, 2 assists) and the scorer Paul George (18 pts, 5 rebounds, 3 assists) who led LA to success, other star Kawhi Leonard settling for 9 points.
In the absence of two major elements, interior Montrezl Harrell and hard-core defenseman Patrick Beverley who left Orlando for personal reasons and whose return is scheduled but undated, the Clippers have shown good disposition in terms of the game, eight days to restart the season against their rivals the Lakers.
Three other matches were played on Wednesday. Denver, ambitious 3rd in the West, beat Washington (89-82) thanks to the contributions of the Serbian Nikola Jokic (16 pts, 7 rebounds, 7 assists) and the young pivot Bol Bol (16 pts, 10 rebounds, 6 blocks) , son of former player Manute Bol. Not bad for a first in the league, even for butter.
Miami defeated Sacramento (104-98) and the New Orleans Pelicans, although deprived of their young star Zion Williamson who left Orlando (99-68) for family reasons, easily disposed of Brooklyn.
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