NBA – Luka Doncic impressive, Kevin Durant back, the Los Angeles Lakers humiliated

The match: Kevin Durant comes back well, Miami still wins

A month and a half after his last match, Kevin Durant did not give the impression of being rusty for his return to competition. The Nets superstar scored 31 points in as many minutes Thursday night. But it was the Heat that emerged victorious in the duel between the two favorites in the Eastern Conference (113-107). A status that sticks less and less to the skin of Steve Nash’s players, who have lost 16 of the 21 matches played without KD. Only the Knicks and Rockets have done worse over the same period.

But with an inspired Durant, Brooklyn took a lead of up to 16 points. Not enough to overcome the best team in the East. Miami responded in the second half, relying on their defense and Bam Adebayo in the key. The All-Star pivot compiled 30 points on 12 of 15 shooting, 11 rebounds and 6 assists. He was also the one who scored one of the most important baskets of the game to give his side two possessions 35 seconds from the buzzer. With this victory, the Heat widened the gap on their pursuers. As for the Nets, they can rejoice to find Kevin Durant. The successes should soon be piling up again.

The player: Luka Doncic in demonstration against Golden State

Already decisive in a recent victory against the Warriors, Luka Doncic did it again in front of Stephen Curry and his partners last night. The maestro of the Mavericks came close to a triple-double – he just lacked an assist – and his 41 points, 10 rebounds and 9 caviars led his team to another success (122-113). Another recital for the Slovenian, who has been excellent for several weeks. His performance allowed Dallas to hold on after Golden State came back to the score following two consecutive three-pointers from rookie Moses Moody (104-104). Doncic and Spencer Dinwiddie (17 points) then took matters into their own hands. Winners of 8 of their last 10 matches, the Texan players can still hope to have home advantage in the playoffs.

The series: 4 losses for the Lakers

The Lakers are going to end up missing the play-in at this rate. LeBron James (26 points) and his teammates were beaten again last night. They were even humiliated by their rivals and neighbors in the Clippers. A heavy defeat, 111 to 132. Reggie Jackson led the dance with 36 points. The Clippers notably carried the blow by totally dominating the third quarter (40-18) against the Lakers totally lost. With this fourth consecutive loss, the Californians are now within range of the Pelicans and the Blazers, their two main pursuers.

The duel: Jayson Tatum takes over Ja Morant

The Celtics are on cloud nine. Jayson Tatum too. The Massachusetts franchise is back in force after a difficult first half of the season. But Boston has chained 8 wins in the last 10 games. The latest dating back to Thursday evening, with a convincing success against Memphis (120-107). Tatum scored 37 points to answer the Ja Morant Phenomenon’s 38 units. The All-Star winger even planted 21 in the fourth quarter. Including 15 of the 17 points scored by the Celtics in the space of 4 minutes. No one could keep up with his pace, not even Morant. The Grizzlies leader notably lacked skill behind the arc (4 out of 12). Boston takes fifth place in the Eastern Conference with the victory.

The performance: Trae Young on a mission against the Bulls

Conference finalists last year, the Hawks are fighting for … the play-in this season. Trying to fix their failed departure. But for that, they no longer really have the right to make mistakes. Every game counts. Trae Young knows this well. And he plays with that thought in his head, driven by a sense of urgency. The All-Star leader is on a mission and the Bulls, yet on the podium in the East, paid the price Thursday night. Atlanta edged Chicago (130-124) with 39 points and 13 assists from Young. He notably converted 7 of his 9 three-point attempts including 2 in the last 2 minutes to conclude the success of his team. The Hawks therefore retain tenth place in the East and still hope to scratch a rank or two by the end of the season. On the other hand, the Bulls conceded a third defeat in a row and here they are on the third step of the podium.

The French: Nicolas Batum in Swiss army knife mode

Nicolas Batum did a bit of everything in his 19 minutes on the court Thursday night: 6 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists for a Clippers win in the Los Angeles Derby. No basket but 3 assists for Killian Hayes in the Pistons’ victory against the Raptors last night.

The results of the night in the NBA

Hawks – Bulls : 130-124
Celtics – Grizzlies : 120-107
Nets – Heat : 107-113
Raptors – Pistons : 106-108
Lakers – Warriors : 122-113
Spurs – Kings : 112-115
Clippers – Lakers : 132-111