Deprived of their respective leaders, LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Los Angeles Lakers lost in Miami (104-110) while the Milwaukee Bucks sank in Dallas (101-116).
While they announced to hoist their banner of champion at home on May 12, the tumble continues for the Lakers. Still deprived of LeBron James and Anthony Davis, the defending champions, in the heart of a series of away matches, suffered their twentieth loss of the season Thursday in Miami (110-104), in the second face-to-face lost to their victim of the 2020 final.
The return to the game of rookie Andre Drummond (15 points, 12 rebounds), after four games of absence (big toe), and the offensive leadership of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (28 points) were not enough for the Californians, overwhelmed in the money-time after the expulsion of Markieff Morris for dispute. The German leader Dennis Schröder unscrewed the shot (2 of 12) and dropped seven balls, compensated by fourteen assists.
Opposite, Jimmy Butler (28 points), assisted by Tyler Herro (15 points), ensured the winning finish but Victor Oladipo (18 points), recruited at the end of March, left the field limping low after receiving a dunk .
This fifth victory in six games allows the Heat, very fickle this season, to pick up in Atlanta in fifth place in the Eastern Conference .
Porzingis without obstacle in the 4th quarter
Deprived like the Lakers of his totem for three games, Milwaukee was no match for Dallas (101-116), conceding 36 points in the fourth quarter. Without obstacle in front of him with the absence of Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee), Kristaps Porzingis signed a big double-double (26 points, 17 rebounds) while Luka Doncic was close to the triple double (27 points to 11 of 20, 9 rebounds , 9 assists).
The Mavericks thus offer themselves a second cador after Utah (111-103) on Monday. In the meantime, they had lost to a poorly classified Houston (93-102). The Bucks held three quarters before taking the water.
Two-time League MVP lieutenants Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday scored just 27 points at 12 of 43. Bobby Portis ensured 20 points and 14 rebounds but Antetokounmpo’s return becomes urgent for Milwaukee if he wants to stay in the race for the top two places in the East. Dallas is now behind Portland, sixth, in the West .
