Western Conference Recaps, April 9: The Los Angeles Lakers Rode LeBron James To A Victory Against Utah Jazz
After starting the season slow, the Los Angeles Lakers have claimed the No.7 seed in the Western Conference.
LeBron James scored 36 points to help the Lakers secure a 128-117 victory against the Utah Jazz. He also had eight 3-pointers, the most since Jan. 24. D’Angelo Russell scored 17 points while Anthony Davis recorded 16 points and 13 rebounds.
“We’re just looking forward to the opportunity,” Lakers head coach Darvin Ham said. “Starting where we started at earlier in the year, and now sitting where we find ourselves sitting, we’re excited. Guys are ready to go. We’ve got great synergy in our locker room. Need to clean up some stuff defensively, but outside of that, we’re ready to go. Kris Dunn led the Jazz with 26 points and 10 rebounds while Kelly Olynyk had 23 points.
OTHER NOTES:
-The San Antonio Spurs defeated the Dallas Mavericks 138-117, eliminating them from playoff contention. Sandro Mamukelashvili led the way with 23 points and 11 rebounds and rookie Malaki Branham had 20 points.
With Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving sidelined due to injuries, rookie Jaden Hardy led the Mavericks with 25 points.
-Tre Mann recorded his first career triple-double to give the Oklahoma City Thunder a 115-100 victory against the Memphis Grizzlies. He had 24 points, 12 rebounds, and 12 assists. Jared Butler scored 25 points while Olivier Sarr recorded 22 points and 15 rebounds. Rookie Kenneth Lofton had 42 points and 14 rebounds for the Grizzlies.
-The Minnesota Timberwolves have clinched the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference. Led by Karl-Anthony Towns’ 30 points, they grabbed a 113-108 victory against the New Orleans Pelicans. Anthony Edwards 26 points and 13 rebounds and Taurean Prince had 18 points off the bench.
Brandon Ingram recorded 42 points and 12 rebounds for the Pelicans while CJ McCollum scored 23 points.
-Seven Denver Nuggets players scored in double-figures to grab a 109-95 victory against the Sacramento Kings. Bruce Brown led the way with 21 points and Zeke Nnaji had 18 off the bench. Harrison Barnes led the Kings with 17 points while Keegan Murray and Domantas Sabonis had 14.
-The Los Angeles Clippers’ 119-114 victory against the Phoenix Suns allowed them to clinch the No. 5 in the Western Conference. Norman Powell scored 29 points off the bench while Kawhi Leonard and Russell Westbrook had 25. Saben Lee recorded 25 points for the Suns.
-The Golden State Warriors scored 55 points in the first quarter to take a 157-101 victory against the Portland Trail Blazers. Stephen Curry led them with 26 points and Klay Thompson had 20. Skylar Mays led the Trail Blazers with 21 points and 12 assists.
Cory Nelson is a contributor to Inside The Heat. He attended Northern Virginia Community College. He can be reached at corymckenzienelson@hotmail.com or follow him on Twitter @CKenzyNelson. You can also check out his personal blog HERE.
