Warriors skate, Cavaliers ride, Lakers react

The Lakers clinched their first victory of the season, at the expense of Denver (121-110), Sunday in the NBA, where Golden State conceded a second loss in a row at the Pistons (128-114), Cleveland confirming its excellent start season against the Knicks (121-108).

After equaling the worst start to the championship in franchise history since moving to Los Angeles in 1960, with five consecutive losses, LeBron James (26 pts, 8 assists) and his teammates finally reacted.

Anthony Davis, dominating inside (23 pts, 15 rebounds) and Russell Westbrook, still as voluntary even starting among the substitutes (18 pts, 8 rebounds, 8 assists), were also dominant.

Collectively, there was better, with only eight loss of balls, but also in defense to contain Nikola Jokic (23 pts, 14 rebounds) and Jamal Murray (21 pts).

In Detroit, without Klay Thompson, put to rest, the Warriors were able to count on Stephen Curry (32 pts) and Jordan Poole, who caught fire by scoring 12 of his 30 points in 52 seconds, in the 3rd quarter. But their percentage of success, like that of the whole team (42.4%), was too insufficient to hope for a better fate.

Especially in front, Saddiq Bey (28 pts) shone, supported by Isaiah Stewart (24 pts, 13 rebounds) and Trey Cunningham (23 pts, 10 rebounds, 9 assists).

44 Doncic points

Kilian Hayes contributed a little (4 pts, 5 assists, 2 rebounds), to Detroit’s second success in seven games, which put Golden State in negative (3-4).

Not far from the other side of Lake Erie, Cleveland made a big effort in the 4th quarter (37-15), to overthrow (121-108) New York, which led by nine lengths at the start.

Donovan Mitchell again sounded the charge for the Cavs (38 pts, 12 assists) and veteran Kevin Love added 29 (8 rebounds), including 16 in money-time. The duo shone behind the arc (8/13 each) for the Ohio franchise, 2nd in the East (5-1), behind Milwaukee, the only team remaining undefeated (5-0).

On the New York side, where Evan Fournier and Jalen Brunson each planted 16 points, the balance sheet is balanced (3-3).

The « perf » of the evening came from Dallas, where Luka Doncic split 44 points (at 17/26, 5 assists), much needed by the Mavericks to get rid of the Magic (114-105). The Slovenian prodigy, who is one of the favorites in the race for the MVP trophy, assumes this status for the time being. In six games, he averaged 36.6 points, 9.5 rebounds and 8.6 assists.

Surprising Spurs

In Boston, a hot first quarter (34-15) put the Celtics on the way to a quiet fourth victory (2 losses) against Washington (112-94), thanks to Jaylen Brown (24 pts, 10 rebounds). ), Jayson Tatum (23 pts) and Malcolm Brogdon (23 pts).

A surprise team at the start of the championship, without a star but with young people united behind veteran coach Gregg Popovich, San Antonio defeated Minnesota (107-98). Keldon Johnson (25 pts, 8 assists) presided over the fifth success in seven matches for Spurs.

On the Timberwolves side, Karl-Anthony Towns (26 pts, 11 rebounds) held his rank, Anthony Edwards (18 pts, 6 assists) and Rudy Gobert (9 pts, 12 rebounds) a little less.

Zion Williamson, back after a right hip and lower back contusion, contributed 21 points (12 rebounds, 7 assists) to the Pelicans’ victory over the Clippers (112-91). CJ McCollum added 22 points for New Orleans, which scored its fourth win in six games.

For LA, where Paul George (14 pts at 5/19) was insufficient and Nicolas Batum (3 pts, 2 rebounds, 1 against) hardly in verve, in the absence of Kawhi Leonard (knee spared), the balance sheet is reversed (2-4).