Three games on the night’s menu in the NBA, with successes for the Suns, Bucks and Cavs.
Never two without three ? Not for Indiana. Decimated (LeVert, Brogdon, Sabonis…), the Pacers remained on two prestigious victories against the Lakers and Golden State. Despite 17 points from Chris Duarte and Lance Stephenson, they failed to repeat the performance in Phoenix last night (113-103). And this even if Devin Booker was not particularly hot on shots (11 points at 5/23 on shots, including 0/6 at 3 points). Mikal Bridges (23 pts), Bismack Biyombo (21 pts, 11 brs), Chris Paul (18 pts, 16 wts) and the Suns nevertheless did the job and won a sixth victory in a row, allowing them to consolidate their position as leaders in the Western Conference and League standings (36 wins, 9 losses).
Last but not least, the Arizona club, which made the hole in the third quarter by leading by 20 points before a closer Indiana to -6 at the end of the game, equals the best start in its history after 45 games . Only false notes of the evening for the Phoenix franchise? Cam Payne and Jae Crowder’s injured outings, both hit in the wrist.
Two other matches (only) on the menu, with the victory of the Cavaliers of Darius Garland (23 pts, 11 wt), Evan Mobley (15 pts, 17 rbs) and Jarrett Allen (14 pts, 13 rbs) against the Thunder (94- 87) by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (29 pts). Cleveland remains on six wins in seven games, while OKC has lost its last five meetings, and 10 of the last 11 games.
No Giannis, no problem
Deprived of a certain Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee), but led by Khris Middleton (34 pts) and Jrue Holiday (26 pts), the reigning champions of Milwaukee got the better of Sacramento (133-127) in a match placed under the sign of the offensive. Donte DiVincenzo added 20 points off the bench for the Bucks, winners for the third time in a row, while Harrison Barnes, Tyrese Haliburton and Terence Davis had 29, 24 and 22 points respectively for the Kings, deprived of De’Aaron Fox (ankle), last minute package. The Wisconsin club (30v-19d) is on the heels of the leading trio in the East, made up of Brooklyn, Chicago – who lost Alex Caruso for long weeks after Lonzo Ball – and Miami.
