Nor was it the best night of game and image for the star forward LeBron James who was sent off in the third period of the game that his team Los angeles lakers in the end they won from visitors with a comeback by 116-121 against the Detroit Pistons.
James was sent off early in the third quarter after punching the pvot in the face Isaiah Stewart, of the Pistons, who consequently suffered a cut to his face.
The bloody thing of Lebron: expelled by an elbow to Isaiah Stewart
The accin of James, which could generate a collective fight between the players of both teams, in the end it concluded with the expulsion of both players involved in the incident and also a technical foul that was pointed out to the point guard. Russell Westbrook, who together with the pvot Anthony Davis they were decisive in the victory of the Lakers.
Davis set aside a double-double of 30 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks that were key in the final stretch of the game that put the 20-year-old rookie forward Cade Cunningham, of the Pistons.
While Westbrook He contributed another double-double of 26 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds.
Cunningham, the first overall pick of the past college draft, had 13 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists to become the youngest player in franchise history with a triple-double.
He also joined the members of the Hall of Fame, Grant Hill y Dave DeBusschere, as the third Pistons player to record a triple-double in the first games they played with the Detroit franchise.
James was sent to the locker room after his elbow and left hand appeared to make contact with Stewart’s face as they became entangled fighting a rebound.
Detroit’s pvot had to be contained more than once, keeping him away from James, and he too was expelled.
Westbrook committed a technical foul after the referees reviewed the play and the altercations that followed.
Everyone involved was relieved that a massive fight like the one on November 19, 2004, did not break out, when Pistons and Indiana Pacers players extended a brawl to the stands, in the biggest scandal in memory. NBA basketball.
Once calm returned Sunday night, Detroit (4-12) closed the third quarter strong and led 99-84 heading into the fourth quarter.
But the Lakers reacted with Westbrook and Davis who contributed scores of more than 10 points in the fourth period and made a difference.
Westbrook was decisive by contributing 15 points, six assists and five rebounds in the fourth quarter with an unstoppable attacking game by the Pistons, who also stopped moving the ball and generating baskets.
The victory allowed the Lakers to go 9-9 and have it positive for the first time this season.
Veterans, power forward Carmelo Anthony reached 18 pointHe’s a backup for the Lakers, and power forward Dwight Howard, who also came off the bench, hit another 13, including two 3-pointers, his best as a professional.
