Lakers between past and future. Before the ceremony for the retirement of Shaquille O'Neal's number 34 tank top – in the presence of the late former coach Phil Jackson -, immediately after the match that could decide the fate of the yellow-purple season. More than anything else, it could save the appearances of a vintage which, barring sensational surprises, will in any case fail. Started with title ambitions - and with a quintet that could count on at least three, if not four, future hall of famer - the Lakers are still reeling in the race for the last place useful for the playoffs in the west.
Victory it had to be and victory it was. For once, even rather clear-cut in proportions. Drawn by the suggestions of the past and by hopes for the future, but more than anything else by the strength of their present – a present that, for 17 years now, has always responded to the name of Kobe Bryant, triple double for him – Los Angeles defeated Dirk Nowitzki's Dallas Mavericks 101-81effectively ousting them from the playoff race.
Said of the Lakers, two more games were played during the night: the clash at the top of the Eastern Conference between the Heat and the Knicks was settled with a 102-90 victory in favor of New York, led by the 50 points of an amazing Carmelo Anthony. The absences of Miami weigh on the veracity of the test: the reigning champions were missing Chalmers, Wade and above all Lebron James.
The last match was the one that pitted the Bulls against the Wizards: Tom Thubodeau's boys, without Belinelli and the long-term patient Derrick Rose, lost 90 to 86 in Washington under the blows of a wild Wall.
When there are about ten games left at the end of the season, the grids for the playoffs begin to emerge more and more. TO West the clash for eighth lost a contender and was reduced to a two-way race between the Jazz and Lakers, paired with the same record. Up front the Warriors (in front) and Rockets challenge each other for sixth place, while the three-way fight for third place between the Grizzlies, Clippers and the Nuggets of our Danilo Gallinari is very heated. Challenging for first place are the Spurs and Thunder, with San Antonio holding a one-race lead.
Molto the situation in the East is less fluid where no one questions the supremacy of the Heat, very favorites for the title and the only exciting race – with the other teams already practically sure of their position at the starting line of the postseason – seems to be the one between Indiana and New York for second place .
