Confirming its upward slope, Atlanta, still carried by Trae Young author of 36 points, had the last word (129-121) on the Lakers, still without LeBron James, Sunday in the NBA while the Clippers walked in Charlotte ( 115-90). This 7th success in a row took shape in the money-time for the Hawks (10th in the East), when Young (also 12 assists and 5 rebounds) further raised his level of play. He planted a banderilla behind the arc to restore the advantage (112-110) to his own, without LA managing to reverse the trend. This, despite a great performance from Malik Monk (33 pts, 8/14 at long distance, 10 rebounds, 5 assists).
John Collins (20 pts, 11 rbds) and Onyeka Okongwu (16 pts), the “X factor” off the bench with two important dunks in the last minutes, also contributed for Atlanta finally returned, it seems, to its level last season, when the Hawks reached the conference final (beaten by Milwaukee). It’s not just the Hawks who are forced to rise in the standings, because the Lakers, after this third consecutive defeat, are stuck in 9th place in the West, which is also in the play-off position for the playoffs.
NBA
LeBron James treated for one knee and out until further notice
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5 HOURS AGO
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They did not deserve in this match, even leading by eleven lengths in the wake of Anthony Davis (27 pts) and Russell Westbrook (20 pts, 12 assists). But the absence of James, who returned to Los Angeles to treat a swelling in his right knee, weighed at the end of the match, when he usually takes responsibility.
In the other midday meeting, in Charlotte, the Clippers showed an excellent collective performance, in the persistent absence of their stars Kawhi Leonard (knee), Paul George (elbow), and Nicolas Batum (back). More than half of the points were scored by the bench (62 against 21 for the Hornets), Brandon Boston Jr scoring 19, as did offensive leader Reggie Jackson. LA remains 7th in the West, as does Charlotte in the East.
NBA
Milwaukee wins the shock, Curry saves the Warriors at the buzzer, the Lakers are reassured
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01/22/2022 At 07:45
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NBA
Magic Johnson castigates Lakers’ ‘lack of effort’, Westbrook responds
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01/17/2022 At 06:51
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