The Los Angeles Lakers basketball players have taken the lead in the NBA playoffs against Phoenix Suns. The defending champion won the third game in the best-of-seven series in his own Staples Center with 109-95.
Anthony Davis (34 points), LeBron James (21) and Dennis Schröder (20), the three of them, were responsible for a large part of the production.
The Lakers were unable to qualify directly for the playoffs but needed a so-called play-in for that. Thanks to an accurate shot from James in the buzzer, the NBA champion managed to deal with Golden State Warriors (103-100).
The seventh-seeded Lakers started the playoffs in the west with a loss to the second-seeded Suns (99-90). They recovered by winning the second game in Phoenix 109-102 and took the lead in the series for their own audience.
Milwaukee Bucks in the east is almost certain of a place in the next round. The Bucks also won their third game against the Miami Heat, 113-84. Giannis Antetokounmpo made 17 points and also grabbed 17 rebounds.
Denver Nuggets took the lead in the series against Portland Trail Blazers mainly thanks to 36 points from Nikola Jokic: 120-115. The score is now 2-1 for the Nuggets.