Eleven games on the program last night in the NBA. Enough to shake things up… in the East, where the rankings have been turned upside down! Summary of this Sunday night in the NBA.
The perf of the night: Miami, leader in the East
The Heat are back to serious business. Spurred on by a Butler record holder for triple doubles on the South Beach side (10 in total), Miami won against the Lakers with a LeBron James in the front row to watch Jimmy Bucket dethrone him from his own record. Eric Spoelstra’s men made short work of the Californians, and the final score (113-107) absolutely does not reflect the face of the game. With 26 points ahead in the first act, then still 23 during the last quarter, Miami has never been worried. Only the final run (32-13 for Los Angeles) made the addition slightly less salty. Deprived of Yurtseven, Herro, Lowry and long-time absentees Morris and Oladipo, the Heat were able to count in addition to Butler (20pts, 10rbds, 12asts) on an excellent Duncan Robinson, author of 25pts, and the good contribution of Caleb Martin out of the bench (15pts). The Floridians take advantage of the defeats of the Nets and the Bulls to take the lead in the East. And it is amply deserved, so much this frankness, in spite of absentees at all costs, shows a regularity and a sense of the collective and the sacrifice to any test. The sacrifice, the Lakers should perhaps show it a little more. If LeBron was still in the oven and the mill (33pts, 11rbds, 4asts), the rest of the pack did not bring anything, even if Westbrook finished in almost triple double, with 24pts, 9rbds and 9asts. Insufficient, the Angelinos chain a fifth loss in seven games, and get stuck tirelessly in the playin.
The other NBA games of the night:
If Miami took control in the East, it is because the Bulls once again lost. Although DeMar DeRozan flew over the meeting (41pts, 5rbds), Chicago failed, despite the absences of Lonzo Ball, Alex Caruso and Zach Lavigne, to win in Orlando. The Magic, which had won only 8 of its 47 meetings so far. The Nets therefore also had the opportunity to take the lead. Something they obviously… missed. If Kyrie Irving was pretty good (30pts), James Harden was too discreet (13pts, 13asts) to resist the pack of wolves from Minnesota, led by his fabulous Towns-Edwards-Russell trio. The Wolves cling to their 7th place in the West and can still hope to get a direct qualifying place for the playoffs.
Because behind them, we are running out of steam. If the Lakers have once again lost, this is also the case for their neighbor, the Clippers. Still deprived of a plethora of their players, Tyron Lue’s men bowed to Madison Square Garden, yet far from being an impregnable fortress in recent times. If Reggie Jackson tried to float (26pts, 5asts), the rest of the starting five was too soft, apart from Ivica Zubac (17pts, 14rbds). The Knicks, well led by RJ Barrett (28pts, 14rbds, 6asts) cling to the Wizards and the Raptors and stay in the game for the playin.
A playin moving away for the San Antonio Spurs. Martyred by a new XXL performance from Joël Embiid, the Texans see Portland escape to the tenth and last qualifying place. The Blazers were able to count on a very good collective (7 players with more than 9 points) to win in Canada against the feverish Raptors.
Finally, at the top of the Western conference, the Warriors, who are very sick at the moment, were able to beat the Jazz. Deprived of Thompson and Green, with a still very clumsy Curry (13pts at 5/20), Steve Kerr’s men were able to be effective defensively to overcome Utah which has a 7th defeat in 9 games.
NBA MVP of the Night:
Jason Tatum. With 51pts, he finished very close to his career high (60). With 31pts at the break, we thought he was able to get this historic performance. At 11/14 to shoot, including 6/7 behind the arc at halftime, JT seemed so in the area that nothing seemed to reach him. Returning just as hot after the break, he already compiled 45 pawns in the middle of the third quarter. Unfortunately, we only felt he was focused on this record at the end of the match, slightly weighing down the overall performance. Despite everything, the performance remains sensational, especially for a player who fell a little lower game after game. Before this clash against the Wizards, he remained on 17 consecutive missed attempts at 3pts. On a 7/45 in the last seven games. He finished at 51pts at 18/28 including 9/14 long distance, in addition to his 10rbds and 7asts to literally crush Washington. Let’s hope for the Massachusetts franchise that the former Duke finds some stability. Boston needs it.
Tops:
• Joel Embiid.
Unfortunately, he broke his series of games at 30pts, depriving him of the franchise record. Nevertheless, it remains in an absolutely improbable period. Tonight, Embiid made another mammoth match to bring down San Antonio: 38pts, 12rbds, 6asts. Routine. With this new double-double, he has a fourteenth match with more than 25pts. 11th success in 14 games for the Sixers, still warm in the top 6 of the Eastern Conference. As long as the awful Jojo is at an MVP level, don’t worry about Doc Rivers and his whole gang.
• Luka Doncic.
Mavs and Grizz had already crossed swords ten days ago. Dallas had won, under the impetus of a well-inspired Luka Doncic (27pts, 12rbds, 10asts). The Slovenian did it again last night, and in large widths. 37pts, 11rbds, 9asts, 3stls, 1blk and another hit for his franchise. Ja Morant (35pts, 13rbds, 6asts) tried everything, but nothing worked. Dallas confirms its return to form, and its playmaker is having a field day. With 8 successes in the last 10 games, the Mavs consolidate their place in the top 5. Doncic confirms that Ja Mortant still has to work to reach his level.
• The Wolves line
When all three of them perform together, it’s hard to stop them. By scoring a trifle of 71 pts (25 for Edwards, 23 for Towns, 23 for Russell), the star trio of the Minnesota Timberwolves brought down the Brooklyn Nets on their own or almost. A high quality service that allows the Minneapolis franchise to hang on to the playin, hoping why not better.
• Nikola Jokic
Alone against all. It was however only weak Pistons in front. But the Joker had to use drastic measures. With a new high-flying performance, Jokic (34pts, 9rbds, 8asts) has once again pulled Denver out of a pretty mess. The reigning MVP holds his franchise at arm’s length, which is currently still qualified directly for the playoffs. Confirms to him that he is still in the race for a new title of best player of the season.
Flops:
• The Raptors.
It was a great opportunity to put pressure on the direct candidates. Charlotte and Washington defeated, Toronto had a big opportunity to get back into the top 8, against sick Blazers. Wasted opportunity, at home. If Siakam struggled (28pts, 8rbds), the match was like the season: disjointed, without any management. Not easy to consider the future with serenity on the side of Canada.
• Nikola Vucevic.
He was returning “home”, to the Amway Center. The Bulls amputated several of their holders, he had a great opportunity to seize, to strike a blow. He has once again disappointed this season. With 13pts at 4/19 on the shoot, the Vooch completely missed out, and his +/- (-20!) hurts my head. Chicago will need a Vucevic at their All Star level to lift their head in this slack period.
• Jazz Attack
There was no Draymond Green, still bothered by his ankle problems. Neither Klay Thompson, yet carefully spared. In addition, Steph Curry completely missed out (13pts at 5/20). Utah limited their opponent to less than 100pts. Despite everything, the Jazz found a way to bow. With an ignoble 31/81 to shoot, the Salt Lake City players completely missed out. Be careful, because with this 5th setback in 7 games, the ax is getting closer: the first two fly away, and behind, Dallas will start knocking gently on the door.
The results :
New York Knicks – Los Angeles Clippers : 110-102
Washington Wizards – Boston Celtics : 87-116
Miami Heat – Los Angeles Lakers: 113-107
Orlando Magic – Chicago Bulls : 114-95
Toronto Raptors – Portand TrailBazers : 105-114
Charlotte Hornets – Atlanta Hawks : 91-113
San Antonio Spurs- Philadelphia Sixers : 109-115
Dallas Mavericks – Memphis Grizzlies :104-91
Minnesota Timberwolves – Brooklyn Nets : 136-125
Denver Nuggets – Detroit Pistons : 117-111
Golden State Warriors – Utah Jazz : 94-92
photo credit: lacroix
valmartin71
Unconditional supporter of Olympique de Marseille but also of football in general.
Fan of the Houston Rockets but especially of The Beard.
