NBA play-offs: Davis leads the Lakers, 1-0 in the semifinal with Golden State. Embiid MVP

It had to be a show and a show it was. THE Lakers they take the first round of the highly anticipated semifinal match against West Golden State capturing the Chase Center by a score of 112-117. James? Curry? No, the absolute protagonist was Anthony Daviswho recorded an extraordinary performance with 30 points, 23 rebounds, to which are added 5 assists and 4 blocks, one of which was decisive in the last seconds on Steph.

Golden State-Lakers, thrilling final

The first half of the super challenge was hard fought, with the Warriors finding an excellent feeling from distance, but in defense they struggled to contain the attacks of Ham’s team. The guests go to the break on +1 (65-64), but on the return to the field, taking advantage of the inevitable tiredness of the hosts returning from game 7 of the quarterfinals against Sacramento, they find the extension with a triple Lames which is worth +10 (86-76). Golden State’s recent awakening of pride, Curry he loads his own on his shoulders who place a sensational 14-0 run and find the unexpected equalizer on 112 a hundred seconds from the siren. The ex Russell puts the Lakers ahead, after which Davis blocks Curry’s attempt, James makes 1/2 from the line, Poole misses the triple of the possible overtime and Schroder’s free throws seal the final 112-117.

Davis as Shaq

First round therefore for the Lakers in a series that still promises sparks, starting with game-2 again at the Chase Center, scheduled for Thursday night in Italy. So the absolute protagonist Anthony Davis: was from 2004 with Shaq O’Neal that an LA player didn’t touch a similar score in the playoffs with 30 points with 23 rebounds, plus 5 assists, 4 blocks and 8/8 from the line. Less flashy though Lebron James (22 points), who lost the challenge in the challenge with Steph Curry (27 points, 6 rebounds and as many triples).

New York draws

In the East in game-2 of the semifinal between the Knicks and the Heat, New York evened the score by beating Miami 111-105. Coach Spoelstra does not risk Butler, whose ankle is still bad after the sprain in race-1. However, the guests don’t seem to be affected by it and go to the long interval on +3 (54-51), but suffer the NY offensive in the third quarter, driven by a super brunson from 30 points overall, to which are added the 25 each of Randle And Barrett. It ends 111-105, Saturday night the third act in Florida.

Embiid mvp of the year

AND’ Joel Embiid the MVP of the 2022/23 season. The Cameroon big man (33.1ppg) beat the other two finalists, Nikola Jokic (who had won the last two editions) e Giannis Antetokounmpowith 73 votes out of 100. It was since the 2000/01 season that a player of the Philadelphia 76ers, at the time Allen Iverson, did not win the player of the year award. Embiid is the second African player to win the MVP title after Nigerian Hakeem Olajuwon in 1994.