Kevin Durant’s career-high 55 points (including eight out of 10 shots from behind the arc) wasn’t enough to beat Atlanta on Saturday night. Kyrie Irving (31 pts) was also in tune, but the two Brooklyn players were too alone to contain the Hawks, led by Trae Young (36 points, including nine in the last minute, 10 assists).
The Nets, who lost their third game there in the last four meetings, fall to 10th place, which will complicate their race for the play-offs if they do not raise the bar in their last four games. The Hawks, on the other hand, climb to 8th place with this fifth success in a row.
Miami, more serene and solid
If they left it at that, the Nets would therefore have to go through complicated roadblocks on the outside before possibly facing Miami in the first round, which at the same time consolidated its leading position in the East by dominating Chicago ( 127-109). The Heat have recovered well after four losses last week and a clash between coach Erik Spoelstra and star Jimmy Butler.
Adroit (53.7% shooting success including 17/34 at 3 pts) and united, with six players between 13 and 22 points, the Floridians built their victory gradually (66-57 at the break, 98-79 at the end of the third quarter). Opposite, the duo Zach LaVine (33 pts) – DeMar DeRozan (26 pts) could not do much.
Golden State on fire in money-time
In the West, Golden State offered a significant victory against Utah (111-107). The Warriors, who must do without their point guard Stephen Curry at least until the end of the regular season, overthrew the Jazz in a superb end to the game. Led by 13 points at the break (45-58), Golden State gave everything in the last quarter, scoring six 3-point shots in a row, an 18-0 fatal to the Jazz.
Klay Thompson’s teammates took the lead for the first time in the game with 3’33” remaining (105-103). The rear scored 12 of his 36 points in money-time, well supported by Jordan Poole (31 pts). Opposite, Rudy Gobert dominated inside (14 pts, 19 rebounds), in vain. The Warriors increase their lead over Dallas and consolidate their 3rd place.
