Miami resists Clippers return
This time, the comeback has failed for the Los Angeles Clippers who, for a third night in a row, have almost cracked a comeback of which they seem to have the secret lately. With the exception that on Friday night, the Angelins played at the Miami Heat, leader of the Eastern Conference, who knew how to round their backs and secure a third straight season success when the visitors had recovered from a deficit of 23 points to return to four units (117-113).
In the wake of Jimmy Butler (26 points, 9 assists), Bam Adebayo (20 points, 12 rebounds) or Gabe Vincent (23 points), the Floridians finally secured a 32nd victory this season (121-114), not without regret letting go of a comfortable advantage. ” We have to learn to play with it, cursed Adebayo after the victory. We have to learn not to let the opponent come back, to make the right stops, to score the baskets that create the gap. »
Opposite, Tyronn Lue could not be satisfied with the turn of the last matches, against a background of reaction rather than action. ” We don’t want to constantly find ourselves led, explained the technician. We will continue to struggle, to fight. “With a negative balance (25v-26d), the Clips are seventh in the Western Conference, a ranking synonymous at the end of the regular season with a preliminary round in the play-offs to hope to reach the final phase.
Phoenix, nine in a row
In the wake of their two leaders, Devin Booker (29 points, 9 assists) and Chris Paul (21 points, 10 rebounds, 14 assists), the Phoenix Suns gleaned their 39th victory of the season, the ninth in a row, at home against the Minnesota Timberwolves (134-124). A success which confirms the best historical start of the franchise (only 9 losses) and which brings coach Monty Williams closer to an All-Star Game selection (each team with the best record in its conference sees its coach selected for the match stars).
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Chris Paul validated Friday evening his third triple-double with the Phoenix Suns, in two seasons, the 18th of his career.
« We know that our objective remains to win the title, noted Booker. But if we can celebrate the little things along the way… Send our staff (au All-Star Game) would be huge. The Arizona franchise is just one win away from securing a top spot in the Western Conference before the traditional February break. It could be acquired as early as Sunday, on the occasion of the reception of the San Antonio Spurs.
Like the Clippers, the Wolves of Karl-Anthony Towns (23 points) fall into the negative (24v-25d, 8th) but could have a great opportunity to revive themselves on Sunday, with the arrival of Utah Jazz – still deprived of Rudy Gobert – on their floor.
