Power forward Julius Randle managed a triple-double with 19 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists to help the Los Angeles Lakers reach their fifth win in the last 10 games, after beating the Mavericks by a score of 124-102. Dallas
In dueling teams with a losing record from the Western Conference, Randle led a list of seven Lakers players who had double-digit numbers.
Backup reserve Isaiah Thomas added 17 points, while forward Brandon Ingram and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, who made headlines, scored 15 points apiece.
The Lakers’ balanced attack also had the support of rookie baseman Lonzo Ball, who had been disabled due to injury in the previous 15 games, and got nine points, seven rebounds and six assists.
The Lakers remain third in the Pacific Division, seven games of the second classified, Los Angeles Clippers who also won, but visitors 117-128 against the Phoenix Suns, eliminated from the final phase.
At the start of the second half of the regular season, the Lakers (24-34) are eight games away from the New Orleans Pelicans (32-26), eighth in the Western Conference, last place to play in the playoffs .
The Mavericks, who have been involved this week in the scandal of allegations of sexual harassment to women who worked in the administration during the past 18 years, suffered the third consecutive loss and remain penultimate in the Western Conference, but already eliminated of the final phase.
The allegations that appeared in an extensive report offered by the specialized magazine “Sports Illustred” and that are being investigated by an independent law firm based in New York.
But in addition to the job scandal, the owner of the Mavericks, Mark Cuban, admitted through a message that he exchanged on social networks with the legendary Julius Erving, who had told the team that the best option they had was to let them win for Then get better selection in the college draw.
The commissioner of the NBA, Adam Silver, fined him with 600,000 dollars, but within the league it is known that the teams that are already eliminated from the playoffs their only goal is what Cuban said.
Forward Harrison Barnes and guard Wesley Matthews each contributed 19 points for the Texans.
While rookie point guard Dennis Smith Junior and reserve Yogi Ferrel added 13 points apiece.
Another short man, Puerto Rican baseman José Juan Barea scored 12 points in 26 minutes on the track at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
Barea scored 4 of 8 field goals, including 3 of 5 triples, 1 of 2 from the line of personnel, got two rebounds, delivered six assists, recovered one ball and lost another. efe
