ROME, OCTOBER 24 – Ten matches of the NBA championship – which started this week – played during the Italian night and among the results, in evidence, the victory of the Milwaukee Bucks against Philadelphia (124-109) and the defeat of the Clippers in debut at the Intuit Dome against Phoenix (116-113 aet). Golden State defeats Portland, Orlando wins the derby against Miami. Milwaukee takes advantage of Philadelphia’s absences (Embiid and George): it ends 124-109. Tyrese Maxey’s 25 points and Kelly Oubre’s 21 points were not enough for the Sixers to resist. Among the Bucks in evidence are Prince and Portis (16 points each) and the stars who immediately make the difference. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard score 55 points between them. Bitter debut for the Clippers at the Intuit Dome with the Suns winning after overtime 116-113. The excellent performance of James Harden (29 points and 12 rebounds) was not enough for the Clippers: Kevin Durant (25 points) and Bradley Beal (24) were decisive for Phoenix. Away victory for Golden State which conquers Portland (139-104) with Buddy Hield top-scorer with 22 points, ahead of Wiggins (20) and Curry (17 points and 9 rebounds). An away victory also for Indiana which won 115-109 in Detroit: a bitter seasonal debut also for Simone Fontecchio (0/4 shooting and zero points in 15 minutes off the bench for the blue). Indiana wins it with a comeback: Turner (20) and the Siakam-Mathurin duo (19) make the difference. Orlando wins the Florida derby at Miami (116-97): sumptuous performance by Paolo Banchero, who makes an All-Star debut: 33 points, 11 rebounds and 4 triples. Easy debut also for Cleveland who won 136-106 at home to the Toronto Raptors. Great performance by Evan Mobley who scored 25 points. New Orleans wins the match against the Chicago Bulls (122-111) despite the absence of Zion Williamson. The best of the home team is Brandon Ingram with 33 points ahead of McCollum’s 23 and the triple double achieved by new signing Dejounte Murray: 14 points, 8 rebounds and 10 assists. The Hawks defeat the Brooklyn Nets 120-116 led by the usual Trae Young: 30 points and 12 assists for the point guard, who precedes Okongwu (28) and Daniels (15) in his team’s scoreboard. Zaccharie Risacher’s debut was disappointing, as he was the first choice in the draft with only 7 points and 2/8 shooting. Cam Thomas’ 36 points were not enough to avoid the Nets’ defeat. Charlotte wins at Houston 110-105. LaMelo Ball’s return to the field after nine months is like a champion: 34 points, 8 rebounds and 11 assists which allow the Hornets to overcome the absence of Brandon Miller and also find 24 points from Tre Mann. Point-to-point match and last-gasp victory for Memphis, which defeats Utah 126-124 in its season opener in Salt Lake City. The 35 points from Finnish Lauri Markkanen were not enough for the hosts. Among the Grizzlies, Ja Morant stands out: 22 points and 10 assists for him but the best are Bane (24) and Aldama, top scorer with 27 points. (HANDLE).
