LeBron James has added another chapter to the ongoing feud with Dillon Brooks. Dennis Schröder and the Toronto Raptors have notched up a must-win, while the Mavs and Nuggets are in a mini-crisis. And the Wagner brothers are still in top form. The NBA on Monday morning
The L.A. Lakers have pulled off a narrow 105-104 win against the Houston Rockets. LeBron James put everything in the shade: The 38-year-old scored 37 points and also converted the decisive free throw with 1.9 seconds to go. The superstar also continued his feud with Dillon Brooks. The Canadian had publicly made disparaging remarks about James during the pre-season play-offs, which led to intense duels in the following games – including by unfair means. This time, too, there was a small skirmish: after James had sent a hook shot over Brooks and into the basket, he demonstratively cheered with the Lakers bench and held his flat hand just above the floor – meaning Brooks was too small. A gesture that his teammates – above all Anthony Davis – imitated with a laugh.
Meanwhile, Franz and Moritz Wagner continued to show good form. The world champion brothers contributed a combined 35 points in their Orlando Magic’s 128:116 win over the Indiana Pacers, whose top man Tyrese Halliburton’s twelve points and just three assists were well below his previous season’s figures. Man of the evening was Paolo Banchero with 24 points.
Mavs lose again – Toronto’s must-win
Dennis Schröder got a must-win with the Toronto Raptors. In the end, it was a clear 142:113 for the Canadians against the Detroit Pistons, who thus won again after two recent defeats. The Dallas Mavericks, on the other hand, suffered another setback. Luka Doncic and Co. lost 113:129 to the Sacramento Kings in their own arena and, as in the previous evening against the Milwaukee Bucks, the Texans ran out of steam towards the end. The Slovenian added 25 points and ten rebounds, but was not able to prevent the Mavs from losing three of their last four games. Maxi Kleber was still missing due to a toe injury.
The Denver Nuggets, who also suffered their third defeat in the last four games at the Cleveland Cavaliers, currently share the Mavs’ fate. Nikola Jokic scored a mixed 18 points
