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Sim Life with ‘NBA LIVE 18’: Lakers at Celtics, Timberwolves at Warriors
The game before the game … Lopez leads upset, Durant-less Dubs fall
Before we get into Wednesday night’s slate of games, we’ve gotta once again big up EA Sports and the NBA LIVE 18 team, as the game has a perfect 6-0 mark for predicting the winners for ESPN’s games. In typical Undefeated fashion, let’s see how these latest matchups will shake out.
Thursday night’s double is a good one, as Lonzo Ball and the Los Angeles Lakers renew their rivalry with the red-hot Boston Celtics (8 p.m. EST), led by Kyrie Irving. The nightcap features the retooled Minnesota Timberwolves visiting the defending champion Golden State Warriors in Oakland, California (10:30 p.m. EST). Let’s see how the ball will bounce Thursday night.
LAKERS AT CELTICS
Top things to 👀
- Who’s the best rookie in L.A. — Kyle Kuzma or Ball?
👀 @ZO2_ v @kylekuzma#LakeShow pic.twitter.com/QDlV9NrlgS
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) November 7, 2017
- Are the 5-5 Lakers worthy of being taken seriously?
- Celtics have the best record in the league.
9 in a row 🙌🙌#CelticsWin pic.twitter.com/oxsrkG7OAB
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) November 7, 2017
Lakers led from start to finish in a game that was nip and tuck but saw L.A. pull away late, thanks to the inside dominance of Brook Lopez. The big man scored 20 of his game-high 38 points in the second half as the Celtics saw their nine-game winning streak come to an end, 94-87.
Lopez was a force in the paint on the offensive end and was a rock on defense.
Kyrie Irving won the point guard scoring battle with Ball, 21-10, but hit just 7 of his 21 shots.
Ball finished with four assists in the win.
TIMBERWOLVES AT WARRIORS
Top things to 👀
- Minnesota’s first five-game win streak since January 2009.
- No KD
Kevin Durant (left thigh contusion) will be inactive for tonight's game vs. Minnesota.
— Warriors PR (@WarriorsPR) November 8, 2017
The red-hot Wolves take advantage of the Warriors missing Durant by jumping on Karl-Anthony Town’s broad shoulders and walking away with a 104-96 win at Oracle.
The Dubs couldn’t shake Minnesota despite Steph Curry’s hot shooting from the outside, which resulted in 34 points.
Towns had plenty of help from his teammates.
*This is a different simulation from the one posted earlier due to Kevin Durant being ruled out of tonight’s game.
Liner Notes
Peep both of these games on ESPN, or if you are out and about, lock in with the ESPN App.