The Los Angeles Lakers left Boston annoyed by a loss on Saturday.
The Brooklyn Nets, alternatively, are holding their very own with Kyrie Irving main the way in which as Kevin Durant stays out with an MCL sprain.
The two will meet Monday night time at Brooklyn, when the Lakers will play with out two of their very own stars — LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
The Lakers mentioned Sunday that James will likely be sidelined by left ankle soreness and Davis by a proper foot stress damage.
Austin Reaves is also out with a left hamstring pressure. Lonnie Walker IV is possible with left knee tendinitis.
The Lakers are 4-6 of their previous 10 since profitable 5 straight Dec. 30-Jan. 7. Four of these defeats had been by 5 or fewer factors, together with Saturday’s 125-121 additional time loss to the Celtics that left the Lakers inspired by their displaying and in addition peeved.
“If we compete as hard as we did tonight to start this trip, we’re going to be OK,” Lakers coach Darvin Ham mentioned because the crew launched into a five-game swing. “We’re going to be OK.”
James scored 41 factors, however his fifth recreation this season with not less than 40 factors — all coming since Dec. 30 — was marred by what didn’t occur. With one second left, James missed a possible game-winning layup and was irritated at official Eric Lewis when a foul was not referred to as on Boston.
“I don’t understand,” James mentioned. “I don’t understand what we’re doing, and I watch basketball every single day. I watch games every single day and I don’t see it happening to nobody else. It’s just weird.”
After the sport, Lewis informed a pool reporter {that a} foul ought to have been referred to as.
“There was contact,” he mentioned. “At the time, during the game, we did not see a foul. The crew missed the play.”
James’ annoyance occurred as Irving scored 21 of his 32 factors within the fourth quarter of a 122-115 win towards the New York Knicks.
“Just staying poised and letting the game come to me, and just throwing the rest of the three quarters out the window, whether I’m playing well or not,” Irving mentioned.
Irving scored not less than 30 factors for a career-high sixth straight recreation and set the document for the longest streak in crew historical past. Since lacking a recreation in San Antonio Jan. 17 resulting from a calf damage, Irving is averaging 36.3 factors and capturing 51.7 p.c (76 of 147), together with 47.4 p.c from 3-point vary (28 of 59).
It was the third time previously six video games that Irving scored not less than 20 factors in a fourth quarter, and he helped the Nets fend off a comeback try by the Knicks. In his previous six fourth quarters, Irving is averaging 16 factors and capturing 57.6 p.c (34 of 59).
“That’s why it’s so great to have the basketball in his hands,” Nets coach Jacque Vaughn mentioned.
Irving’s efficiency occurred when the Nets hit a season-high 22 3-pointers.
Brooklyn performed Saturday’s recreation with out Ben Simmons (sore left knee) and T.J. Warren (left shin contusion). Both could possibly be out once more Monday and the Nets may deploy 10 gamers once more in any case 5 starters reached double figures, together with Nic Claxton, who has double-doubles in seven of his previous eight contests.
