Gregg Popovich it is legend. The 104-102 with which San Antonio beats Utah is the 1336 regular-season success for the coach, an absolute record in Nba which allows him to detach Don Nelson and become the most successful coach ever. “But basketball is a team sport, such a result does not belong to the single individual – comments the 73-year-old Popovich – It is what you try to make your players understand and in my life I have been lucky enough to work with players and collaborators. wonderful, with the support of this fantastic city. It’s everyone’s record, not just mine. ” In Popovich, 5 rings with the Spurs, Olympic gold with the USA in Tokyo, Nelson’s compliments arrived: “I’m proud of you, I couldn’t wait for this day to arrive and I want you to know that you are one of my best friends”. Popovich is in his 26th season on the Spurs bench: no coach has ever lasted so long in the four major American professional sports.
But it wasn’t just Popovich’s night. Phoenix, leaders in the West and team with the best record in the League, is surprised 117-112 by Toronto, dragged by Trent (42 points). Behind the Suns is confirmed Memphis, who enjoys the usual Ja Morant (37 points, 15 of which in the last period) and Jackson’s blocks (five in all, three in the fourth quarter) to win over New York (118-114), which is not enough for a Randle with 36 points, 12 rebounds and 6 assists. Good Dallashis sixth win in seven races (113-100 over Houston, 30 points and 14 rebounds by Doncic and 26 + 13 by Powell), Minnesota yields 118-110 against Orlando, badly also i Clippers, beaten 112-106 from Atlanta. Decisive for the Hawks Trae Young with 27 points, but five other players finish in double figures. Among these Danilo Gallinari, on the scoresheet with 13 points (5/12 from the field with 3/7 from three), 6 rebounds and 3 assists in 30 minutes.
Atlanta climbs to tenth place in the East, the last one available for play-ins. Goal pursued to the West by the Lakers, clinging to an infinite LeBron James, despite his 37 years: 50 points in 122-109 over Washington. The Chosen One becomes the oldest player ever with more than a 50-point game in the same season (he had made 56 against Golden State a week ago), overtaking Bernand King who succeeded with the Wizards in the 90-91 season but at 34 years. Gialloviola now noni, ahead of Pelicans who surrender 142-120 to Charlotte (27 points from Bridges with nine triples and 17 points and 9 assists from LaMelo Ball) and in a losing streak from four games.
In the East he remains in command Miami, thanks to the newfound Adebayo: 30 points and 17 rebounds his stamp in 117-105 on Cleveland that allows the Heat to stretch on Milwaukee and Philadelphia. Fifth place in the Conference for Boston, at the fifth consecutive success: 114-103 on Detroit with 31 points and 8 rebounds by Tatum and 22 + 8 by Brown. Impressive the rise of the Celtics, who from 21 January to today have won 18 races out of 21.
