In his return to his old home, LeBron James led the L.A. Lakers to an important victory. Dallas fans were treated to a lot – including rain indoors. The NBA on Tuesday morning.
Some breathing room for the Lakers: the Californians’ 131-120 win in Cleveland makes the glimmer of hope for a play-off ticket glimmer a little brighter. LeBron James was once again the mainstay for the Lakers in his return to his old home with 38 points. In addition, the 37-year-old, who did not let an unintentional knee strike to the head stop him, had eleven rebounds and twelve assists – his 105th career triple-double! The Lakers climbed back up to ninth place with the win, which entitles them to play-in participation (7-10), as the New Orleans Pelicans narrowly lost 103-106 at the Charlotte Hornets.
Dallas not quite close – Sixers win top game
Meanwhile, the Dallas Mavericks celebrated a hugely important victory in a 110-108 win at home against the Minnesota Timberwolves. After a 15-minute delay – heavy rain pushed through the roof and landed near the visitors’ bench – it remained exciting until the final phase, in which the T-Wolves unsuccessfully called for three free throws after a foul on Patrick Beverley and only got two. After that, Dallas was also proven right in a challenge and was able to win the game in the end.
Five Mavs players around Luka Doncic scored more than 15 points each, a feat last achieved by the Texans in 1989. Maxi Kleber (1/9 from the field) was not among them, the ex-Würzburg player is currently still looking for his throwing strength after an ankle blister. Dallas defended fifth place, the Timberwolves slipped down to seventh behind the Denver Nuggets.
In the top game of the day, the Philadelphia 76ers, even without their superstars James Harden and Joel Embiid, defeated the East-leading Miami Heat 113-106 and are now tied for second place with the Milwaukee Bucks. Fourth are the Boston Celtics, who won their away game at the Oklahoma City Thunder 132-123 (Daniel Theis added nine points). The Chicago Bulls beat the Toronto Raptors 113-99 to move past the Cavaliers into fifth place.
Durant leads Nets to victory
Lead by Kevin Durant with his 37 points and without Kyrie Irving and Ben Simmons, the Brooklyn Nets got an important 114-106 against the Utah Jazz and can continue to hope for a place in the top six.
Back to the West: The Houston Rockets theoretically have no chance of making the play-offs. Nevertheless: The worst team in the league won 115-97 against the Washington Wizards, Dennis Schröder scored eight points and also had five assists and four rebounds. Christian Wood (39) set a personal record with eight three-pointers.
