French sensation Victor Wembanyama got here out on high in his first tussle with NBA famous person LeBron James Friday because the San Antonio Spurs snapped their 18-recreation dropping streak with a 129-115 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers.
Two days after falling to the Lakers in a recreation that James sat out, the Spurs halted the longest dropping streak in franchise historical past.
Devin Vassell scored a profession-excessive 36 factors for San Antonio and 7 Spurs gamers — together with Wembanyama — scored in double figures.
Wembanyama, whose arrival within the league has been in comparison with that of James 20 years in the past, scored 13 factors and grabbed 15 rebounds with 5 assists, two blocked pictures and two steals.
It was the 19-12 months-outdated rookie’s fifth recreation this season with a number of blocks and a number of steals.
James, the 4-time NBA champion who will flip 39 this month, scored 23 factors with seven rebounds and 14 assists.
But with out Anthony Davis, D’Angelo Russell and Cam Reddish the Lakers trailed from begin to end.
James impressed with an early steal and dunk, however the Spurs led by as many as 25 within the first half and for as soon as had been in a position to make the lead arise.
Los Angeles lower the deficit to 4 factors shortly earlier than halftime with a run that included James’s excessive-arching three-pointer over the towering Wembanyama.
But the Spurs saved the strain on after the break, outscoring the Lakers 29-25 within the third interval to take a 98-87 lead into the ultimate quarter.
The Lakers pulled their starters halfway by the fourth and the younger Spurs crew had been in a position to have fun their first victory since a November 2 conquer Phoenix.
“This is what I’m addicted to, winning, this is what I love,” mentioned Wembanyama, who credited Vassell’s 12-of-19 capturing with preserving the Lakers at bay.
“Everything went in,” Wembanyama mentioned of his teammate’s huge night time. “I think if he didn’t make those shots they would have had more runs, but by himself he kept the lead for us.”
James mentioned the a number of harm absences had been simply an excessive amount of for the Lakers to beat.
“You give credit where it’s due,” he added. “San Antonio played great tonight, they shot the ball extremely well. They attacked us and we’re just limited with bodies.”
James mentioned his first conflict with Wembanyama solely bolstered his earlier evaluation that the extremely touted rookie is a “special talent.”
There was no respite for the Detroit Pistons, who suffered a franchise-file twenty second straight defeat with a 124-92 loss to the 76ers in Philadelphia.
Philadelphia’s NBA Most Valuable Player Joel Embiid scored 35 factors and pulled down 13 rebounds for his ninth straight double-double.
Tyrese Maxey added 19 factors for the Sixers, who received their fifth straight.
The Pistons had matched their longest-ever dropping streak with a loss to Philadelphia on Wednesday.
Their skid is the sixth-longest in a single season in NBA historical past. Cleveland in 2010-11 and Philadelphia in 2013-14 share the file for the longest at 26 straight defeats.
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Brunson pours in 50
New York’s Jalen Brunson made 9 of 9 from three-level vary on the way in which to a profession-excessive 50 factors within the Knicks’ 139-122 victory over the Suns in Phoenix.
Brunson was an ideal 12-for-12 from the ground within the second half — together with eight three-pointers — because the Knicks handed the Suns a defeat made extra painful by the early exit of Bradley Beal with an ankle harm.
The Eastern Conference-leading Boston Celtics remained unbeaten at dwelling, driving 30 factors from Jayson Tatum to a 128-111 victory over the upstart Orlando Magic.
Derrick White added 19 factors, Jaylen Brown scored 18 and Payton Pritchard added 21 off the bench for the Celtics, who improved to 13-0 at TD Garden and 19-5 for the season regardless of lacking Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford and Luke Kornet.
Jalen Suggs scored 19 factors for the Magic, who dropped to fourth within the East behind the Celtics, Bucks and 76ers.
Dillon Brooks made a triumphant return to Memphis, scoring 24 of his 26 factors within the second half to gas the Houston Rockets’ rally for a 103-96 victory over the Grizzlies, who traded Brooks within the offseason.
(This story has not been edited by News18 workers and is revealed from a syndicated information company feed – AFP)
