Another NBA night and another recap by BM. Four matches were played during the night: below are all the results and related recaps.
ORLANDO MAGIC-LOS ANGELES LAKERS 119-118
Narrow home defeat for the Lakers who have to surrender to the Orlando Magic. The game was always in balance and seemed to take a turn in favor of the Los Angelenos towards the end: 3 triples in a row by LeBron and great defensive plays by AD seemed to definitively steer the game. The Magic therefore hold on to Franz Wagner (37 points, 6 rebounds and 11 assists) to stay afloat. In the final, Redick’s team would have a way to close it out, but they pay for too many errors from the line and Davis’ decisive 0/2 final. Reversal in front, ball to Franz Wagner and decisive triple. The Magic interrupt the Lakers’ unbeaten home run, James’ 31 and Davis’ 39 are not enough for the yellow and purple.
DETROIT PISTONS-CHARLOTTE HORNETS 121-123
Extra time was needed to decide the match between the Pistons and Hornets, which was ultimately won by the latter. In the regular 48 minutes, the Hornets controlled the game, making the first breakthrough in the second quarter and a further one in the third, reaching +20. The Pistons did not lose their composure and, thanks to Harris and Cunningham, they regained the game with just over a minute left to play. Two opportunities to win it for both sides (Beasley and Ball), but both are inaccurate: we therefore go to overtime. The Hornets immediately lose LaMelo due to fouls, and this is how Brandon Miller takes over, author of his career-high (38 points). The Hornets then win and sign their sixth victory of the season. For Simone Fontecchio 21 minutes marked by 8 points, 2 rebounds and 1 assist.
MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES-TORONTO RAPTORS 105-110
Important victory for the Raptors who beat the Minnesota Timberwolves after a very balanced match. Scottie Barnes returns to the Canadian franchise after almost a month of injury and immediately proves to be decisive (he finishes with 17 points). After the first two quarters of substantial balance, Minnesota tries to give a boost to the game thanks to the usual Anthony Edwards, but Toronto does well to hold off. Raptors who took the lead in the last quarter and never gave it up, thanks above all to Boucher’s 22 points from the bench. For Toronto this is the fourth victory of the season; Edwards’ 26 are not enough for Minnesota.
UTAH JAZZ-SAN ANTONIO SPURS 118-126
They manage to lose again to the Utah Jazz, after having led the game against the Spurs for large stretches and even with almost 20 points. Markkanen and his teammates started off strong, winning the first set 31-17 and giving the idea of being able to manage the Spurs, orphans of Wemby. The collapse occurred between the third and fourth quarters: in the last quarter the Jazz conceded 41 points. Hardy’s team thus collects their twelfth defeat of the season; Harrison Barnes’ 25 points are decisive for the Spurs.
in photo Franz Wagner (StatMamba X profile)
by Diego Loretelli
