LThe night LeBron James returned, a few of the NBA stars were missing. The day had something of a war part. Kevin Durant did not play because of a sprained left shoulder. Luka Doncic missed his second game followed by sprains to his left knee and ankle. Nikola Jokic sprains his right wrist. Stephen Curry, who was dragging a blow to the hip, took the opportunity to rest in Detroit, the end of the Warriors’ four-game tour of the East. So did his teammates Draymond Green, Andre Iguodala and Otto Porter. Kyrie Irving, still unvaccinated, we don’t even tell him.
Last morning a great team of absentees could be formed that the NBA will win. Doncic and his 24.9 points on average, on base. On guard, Curry, who averages 29.5 and is in his best triplet records. Durant, who is 28.6 on average, as a forward. Green and his intangibles will be the power-forward. And Jokic, with an average of 26.4 points, the pvot.
A day without four of the top 10 scorers in the NBA is less exciting, but luckily none of his ailments seem too serious. That they recover as soon as possible and make them vibrate again with their performances.
Jayson Tatum was unstoppable for the Lakers. The Celtics forward scored 37 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in his team’s 130-108 win. It was the best in the great NBA classic, the duel between the two most successful teams in the history of the competition, with 17 titles each. None are going through their best moment, but the greens are seeing the light: they have six wins in the last nine games. Those in yellow still have it, even if LeBron has returned.
In case the match isn’t special enough already, Tatum found several additions. For example, the Celtics star grew up idolizing Kobe Bryant. And in the first there were myths from his franchise like Bill Russell and Paul Pierce. “It was a surreal moment. Obviously, because of Russell and all the impact he had on the Celtics and the NBA. And then because of Paul, someone I have a great relationship with. I remember watching him play and now he watches me. It’s crazy. “Tatum said. But to madness, his party.
One more day, in a loss to the Lakers the spotlight was on Russell Westbrook. The point guard did not have a good night: 12 points with 5/13 shooting from the field, four rebounds and six assists. With him on the track, -12 for his team.
Comparisons were not long in coming with the remarkable performance of Dennis Schroder, the player who last year occupied his position in the Los Angeles team, did not accept a succulent renewal offer and ended up with the Celtics. The German point guard finished with 21 points with 8/14 shooting, six rebounds and six assists. While on the court, +12. Even a Boston television network allowed itself to be ironic about the two players.
