Triple double of 46 points for the Serbian, who drags Denver. Surprise ko for Memphis, good Boston and Milwaukee
A crazy triple double of 46 points Nikola Jokic allows to Denver to win against New Orleans, despite Brandon Ingram’s 38 points. Utah finds the success (11 triples for Bojan Bogdanovic), while Memphis stops in Houston and slips to third place West. Victorious debut for Kristaps Porzingis with Washington. Cleveland overtakes Toronto at home. Important successes for Boston e Milwaukee to the East in the playoff key.
DENVER NUGGETS-NEW ORLEANS PELICANS 138-130
Nikola Jokic is increasingly enthralling for Denver and catches a game that was initially dominated (also +21 at the start) and then complicated in the third quarter by a vertical collapse by the rest of the roster. The Serbian center scored 30 points between the fourth period and overtime in a match closed in triple double (17th of his season) with 46 points, 12 rebounds, 11 assists, three steals and four blocks. The Nuggets are thus holding on to sixth place in the West with two and a half games ahead of Minnesota, which is pressing behind them. New Orleans stops its ascent. Brandon Ingram’s 38 points with 9 assists with 12/24 shooting and three three-pointers are not enough.
OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER-UTAH JAZZ 103-116
Utah beats Oklahoma on the road and is now in fourth place, two and a half games away from the Memphis Grizzlies and by the same margin behind them on Dallas and Denver they are chasing. The protagonist of the Jazz is Bojan Bogdanovic, the first all-time player in NBA history to score at least 11 baskets finding the bottom of the retina only with his feet beyond the arch: 11/18 three-point, new franchise record. In addition to him, Utah also collects 24 points and 10 assists from Donovan Mitchell, Rudy Gobert’s 12 points and 17 rebounds and Jordan Clarkson’s 20 with 21 shots off the bench. The Thunder cling as always to a handyman Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scoring 33 points with seven rebounds and eight assists.
HOUSTON ROCKETS-MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES 123-112
Surprise defeat of Memphis on the field of Houston. Kevin Porter Jr. closes with 29 points, Christian Wood adds 28 points with 13 rebounds and the Rockets thus manage, thanks to an excellent second half, to surprise the Grizzlies and also interrupt a streak of 12 defeats (the first smile from February 2 ). Misstep for Memphis, back-to-back, away and unable to make the most of Desmond Bane’s 28 points, Ja Morant’s 22 with six assists and Steven Adams’ 23 points (maximum this season) seasoned with 12 rebounds . The Grizzlies then slide to third place in the Western Conference.
WASHINGTON WIZARDS-INDIANA PACERS 133-123
Kristaps Porzingis made a winning debut, scoring 25 points in his first in the Wizards jersey, fully recovered from his knee and impact injury despite only 21 minutes on the pitch. Washington thus manages to fold at Indiana and tries, albeit with extreme difficulty, to approach the play-in area to the East. “I’m happy to finally be on the pitch after a month off: I remained calm, without overdoing it and playing the right, ”said the Latvian. The 23 points of Kyle Kuzma and the 39-26 partial of the third quarter are also decisive, while the 27 points of Malcolm Brogdon are not enough for the Pacers to avoid the 11th knockout in the last 14 games.
CLEVELAND CAVALIERS-TORONTO RAPTORS 104-96
Very important success for Cleveland, who thus takes the second victory in the last eight races and beats a direct opponent like Toronto. Evan Mobley is dominant with his 20 points and 17 rebounds, Lauri Markkanen adds 22. The Cavs redeem their last three consecutive losses and consolidate their sixth position in the East. The Raptors collect 24 points from Siakam and 21 from Boucher. The Canadian comeback from -18 in the last fraction was useless, but Cleveland must also be seriously worried about the injury to Jarrett Allen, the bad news of the evening: a fractured finger will keep him out indefinitely.
LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS-NEW YORK KNICKS 93-116
RJ Barrett closes with 24 points and nine rebounds and reveals himself as the best scorer of a match dominated by the Knicks on the field of the Clippers (34-18 the run of the second quarter). This victory allows the New York team to break a streak of seven straight losses. Immanuel Quickley adds 21, while Cam Reddish made 17 in a match never questioned. Los Angeles, on the other hand, is shipwrecked after five consecutive victories against a more than affordable opponent: 16 points for Amir Coffey coming off the bench and little else to save.
BOSTON CELTICS-BROOKLYN NETS 126-120
Boston plays an excellent game, also finding important contributions from the returning Jaylen Brown (21 points), Marcus Smart (14 with 9 assists) and Al Horford (13, 7 rebounds and 4 assists) to take the fifth victory in the last six games. Jayson Tatum is in a moment of spectacular form, as evidenced by the maximum in the season achieved against Brooklyn: 54 points with 16/30 shooting, 8 triples to score on 15 attempts and 14/17 in the line, also adding 5 rebounds and 3 assists his majestic performance. Nothing to do instead for the Nets, who despite having both Durant (excellent with 37 points, 6 rebounds and 8 assists shooting 12/21 from the field) and the much-hissed ex Kyrie Irving (19 but with 8/18 shooting and a only trip to the bezel) fail to avoid the fourth consecutive defeat.
MILWAUKEE BUCKS-PHOENIX SUNS 132-122
Khris Middleton bends the resistance of Phoenix who, despite the very heavy absences, gives battle to the last. Milwaukee changes gears when a subdued Giannis Antetokounmpo (19 points and 13 rebounds with 8/13 shooting) goes to sit down due to problems with fouls, finding the decisive plays of Middleton (44 points with 16/27 from the field) and Jrue Holiday ( 24 with 9 assists and a thousand perfect plays in defense). Serge Ibaka also did well, in double doubles with 14 + 10 off the bench, and Jordan Nwora with baskets in crucial moments. The Suns still have the honor of a game played with a knife between the teeth from the first to the last minute, finding 30 points from a surgical Deandre Ayton (14/19 from the field with 8 rebounds), 23 from Cameron Payne and 19 from Jae Crowder.
