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NBA Live 18

Sim Life with ‘NBA Live 18’: Spurs at Heat, Wizards at Lakers

The game before the game … it’s all Spurs and Lakers

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    Marcus Matthews By @goochaveli

    We are all about that real, and EA Sports is one of the best at capturing the realism of the games we love today. This is the first in a series forecasting how the signature slate of games on ESPN will play out using NBA Live 18. First up we have a Wednesday doubleheader featuring the San Antonio Spurs at the Miami Heat (8 p.m. EST) and the Washington Wizards at the Los Angeles Lakers (10:30 p.m. EST).

    Spurs at Heat

    Top things to 👀

    • No Hassan Whiteside (left knee contusion)
    • No Kawhi Leonard, no problem. LaMarcus Aldridge is getting the job done as the Spurs’ No. 1 option.

    As expected, Aldridge continued his early-season tear as the Spurs’ go-to guy. San Antonio takes an easy one on the road 90-68.

    Aldridge was unstoppable, scoring 19 of his game-high 32 points in the first half.

    Fans didn’t appreciate the Heat’s cold shooting night, as boos rang out at the AmericanAirlines Arena. Goran Dragic was the only bright spot for the Heat.

    The Spurs moved to 4-0, while the Heat dropped to 2-2.

    Wizards at Lakers

    Top things to 👀

    • Big test: Lonzo Ball trying to slow down John Wall
    • LaVar Ball factor

    Maybe Marcin Gortat should have been worried about Brook Lopez instead of Lonzo’s daddy LaVar Ball, as the Wizards center was cooked by the Lakers’ big man in an easy 104-85 win for L.A.

    The Lakers jumped out to a 16-point first-quarter lead and stretched it to 19 by the half. Wall was the only bright spot for the Wiz, scoring 10 of his 18 in the first half.

    Jordan Clarkson with the strong contribution off the bench.

    Tough shooting night for Wall.

    Ball didn’t outscore his point guard counterpart, but his 9 points, 7 assists and 5 steals did contribute to the W.

    Don’t forget to see how this matches up with the live action starting Wednesday night at 8 EST on ESPN and the ESPN app.

    Liner Notes

    Images above are screen grabs.

    Marcus Matthews is the senior manager over social content for Andscape, tasked with developing strategy, overseeing special projects and establishing synergy opportunities in the social lane for the site. He’s a PG County, Maryland, native and a fan of the Washington Commanders, Georgetown Hoyas and Los Angeles Lakers.

    This Story Tagged: NBA Live 18